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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness in the way the Italian side handled this trip to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. The team from Rome did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when placing their European competition bid back on track. Observers noted a obvious difference in class between Roma and a Rangers side that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven European games in a row.

To their credit, the home side at least fought hard during a second half when surrender felt the more likely option. Yet, the match was decided as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the tournament, which should represent an embarrassment to a team of this standing. The Giallorossi have ambitions once more on achieving significant success. Their only regret here was in not producing a scoreline that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second-ever continental encounter with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in 1961. Their last such match, against the Terrors over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a referee. In those days, teams from Scotland could compete with the best in Europe. The current campaign has seen the co-efficient drop to a point that will shortly have huge ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are concerned is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s dismal spell as the manager lasted just over four months in the early part of this season. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise though within a tiny sample size. The technical areas saw a clash of generations; Röhl is 36, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

A further factor was far more striking as the teams took the field. Rangers’ glaring lack of height against the visitors looked ominous. That concern was proven within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the front post. Following up, the Argentine winger burst forward to knock Roma in front. The visitors without the injured Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for bluntness even with decent results in this campaign, were delighted with their early advantage.

Rangers should have levelled matters immediately. Instead, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s £8m signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an productive centre forward but appears unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit controlled first-half possession from that point. They extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will lament the fact the midfielder was left in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous strike. Ibrox, typically a boisterous place on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. The discontent which greeted the half-time whistle were timid; Rangers were clearly in the process of being outclassed.

After the break began against a unusual backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, clearly sinister in message, depicted the pair with targets on their faces. It raises questions what the club owner makes of the situation. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an low-profile life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before leading a takeover of Rangers. Fans have not turned on Cavenagh yet but there is a mutinous feeling around the club. It is one which is easy to understand; The team’s management is wholly unimpressive.

Right on cue, the striker was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and hit the side netting. This actually triggered the home side’s best period of the match, in which their replacement the young midfielder fired just wide. It was, nonetheless, difficult to determine the visitors’ remaining offensive intent until the full-back was given a chance from close range which he inexplicably lifted and onto the underside of the bar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful chances were concerned. The raft of substitutions from both teams resulted in this game closed more in the style of a summer exhibition than competitive match. This of course suited Roma perfectly. It prompted reflection to consider how on earth Rangers, finalists in this tournament in recently and strong enough of the quarter-finals a season ago, arrived at the stage of just participating.