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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness in the way the Italian side dealt with this journey to Glasgow. Without much drama. Roma from Italy’s capital did, however, face manageable rivals when putting their European competition bid on the right path. There was a obvious gulf in quality between Roma and a the Scottish team side that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven continental matches consecutively.

Positively, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a second half when capitulation felt the more likely option. Yet, the match was settled as a competition by then. The Scottish club remain rooted to the foot of the tournament, which should constitute an embarrassment to a club of this standing. The Giallorossi have eyes again on making proper impact. Their only regret in this match was in not delivering a result that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second continental encounter with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in 1961. The previous one, against the Terrors 23 years later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a referee. In those days, teams from Scotland could vie with the top sides in the continent. This season has seen the co-efficient drop to a level that will shortly have major ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute up to now as the fanbase are concerned is that he isn’t his predecessor. The latter’s ghastly tenure as the head coach lasted 123 days in the early part of the campaign. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a generation game; the Rangers boss is 36, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

Another element was far more striking as the sides took the field. Rangers’ obvious lack of height against the visitors looked worrying. This point was proven within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante easily flicked on a corner at the front post. Following up, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to fire Roma ahead. The visitors minus the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge despite reasonable results in this campaign, were pleased with their early advantage.

Rangers should have levelled matters instantly. Instead, the forward screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. The player’s £8m purchase from the Toffees has piled pressure on the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an effective centre forward but seems reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

Roma controlled opening period possession thereafter. Roma doubled their lead through their captain, whose bent effort into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, typically a raucous place on European nights, had been silenced nine minutes until halftime. The discontent which met the interval were subdued; the home team were clearly in the process of being outclassed.

After the break began against a unusual atmosphere. Supporters directed their focus once again towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously sinister in tone, showed the duo with targets on their faces. One wonders what the Rangers chairman makes of all this. After all, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an low-profile career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before fronting a takeover of this club. Fans have not turned on the owner yet but there is a rebellious feeling in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; Rangers’ management is wholly unimpressive.

As if scripted, the striker was played in on the keeper on the hour mark and found only the side netting. That moment sparked the home side’s finest spell of the match, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. It was, however, hard to gauge the visitors’ continued attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was given a chance all of a yard out which he inexplicably lifted and onto the bottom of the bar.

That was it as far as meaningful chances were involved. The series of substitutions from both teams resulted in this game ended more in the style of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. That scenario benefited the Italians perfectly. It prompted reflection to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in recently and strong enough of the last eight a last year, arrived at the stage of making up the numbers.