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There was admirable efficiency in the way the Italian side dealt with this journey to Glasgow. Without much drama. The team from Rome did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid back on track. There was a glaring gulf in quality between Roma and a Rangers squad that has now lost a club record seven European games in a row.

To their credit, Rangers at least fought hard during a second half when surrender felt the more likely option. Yet, the game was decided as a contest by then. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a team 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.

Surprisingly, this marked only Roma’s second-ever continental encounter with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in the early 60s. The previous one, against the Terrors 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a referee. In those days, Scottish clubs could compete with the best in the continent. The current campaign has seen the co-efficient drop to a level that will shortly have major ramifications.

The new manager’s key attribute up to now as the fanbase are concerned is that he isn’t Russell Martin. The latter’s dismal spell as the head coach continued for just over four months in the early part of the campaign. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his counterpart the Roma manager is 67.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides took the field. Rangers’ obvious short stature against the visitors looked worrying. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder easily redirected a set-piece at the front post. Following up, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to knock Roma ahead. The visitors minus the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with decent results in the tournament, were delighted with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side could have equalised instantly. Rather, the forward sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s £8m signing from the Toffees has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an productive centre forward but seems reluctant or incapable to use them.

Roma controlled opening period the ball from that point. They extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net came after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder was left in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, typically a raucous venue on European nights, had been silenced with time still remaining before the break. Even the boos which met the interval were subdued; the home team were clearly in the midst of being outclassed.

The second period started against a curious backdrop. Those Rangers fans directed their focus once again towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously menacing in message, showed the duo with targets on their faces. It raises questions what the club owner makes of all this. Ultimately, the chairman enjoyed an low-profile career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before leading a acquisition of this club. Paying punters have not turned on Cavenagh so far but there is a rebellious mood in the air. This is unsurprising; The team’s leadership is wholly unimpressive.

Right on cue, the striker was played in on goal on the hour mark and found only the side netting. That moment sparked the home side’s best period of the game, in which their replacement the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. It was, however, hard to determine Roma’s remaining attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was given a chance from close range which he inexplicably lifted and on to the bottom of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful opportunity were involved. The raft of changes from both teams meant this fixture closed more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. That scenario benefited Roma perfectly. There was cause to consider how on earth Rangers, runners-up in this tournament in 2022 and worthy of the last eight a season ago, arrived at the stage of just participating.