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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness about the way Roma handled this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. The team from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when putting their Europa League bid back on track. There was a glaring difference in class between Roma and a Rangers squad that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven European games in a row.

To their credit, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a later period when capitulation felt the more likely option. However, the game was settled as a contest at that stage. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should constitute an disgrace to a team of this standing. The Giallorossi have eyes once more on achieving significant success. Their only regret in this match was in not producing a scoreline that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second European joust with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in the early 60s. Their last such match, against Dundee United 23 years later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a referee. Back then, teams from Scotland could compete with the top sides in Europe. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge 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 tenure as the head coach lasted just over four months in the early part of the campaign. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The dugouts witnessed a generation game; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

Another element was far more striking as the sides lined up. The home team’s obvious short stature against the visitors looked ominous. This point was confirmed within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder comfortably redirected a set-piece at the front post. At the back, the Argentine winger burst forward to fire Roma in front. The visitors without the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for bluntness despite decent results in this campaign, were pleased with their early advantage.

Rangers should have equalised immediately. Instead, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the Roma defence. The player’s eight-million-pound signing from the Toffees has piled pressure on the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physical attributes to be an productive centre forward but appears reluctant or incapable to use them.

The Italian outfit dominated first-half the ball from that point. They doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will bemoan the fact Pellegrini was left in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, typically a boisterous place on continental evenings, had been silenced nine minutes before the break. The discontent which greeted the interval were subdued; the home team were simply in the process of being outclassed.

After the break started against a curious atmosphere. Supporters turned their attentions once again towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, the director. Two banners, obviously menacing in tone, depicted the duo with targets on their images. It raises questions what the club owner makes of the situation. Ultimately, the chairman had an low-profile career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before fronting a takeover of Rangers. Paying punters have not targeted the owner so far but there is a rebellious feeling in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; The team’s leadership is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and found only the outside of the goal. That moment sparked Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. Yet, however, difficult to gauge the visitors’ continued offensive intent until Zeki Celik was presented with a opportunity all of a yard out which he somehow hit up and on to the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful chances were concerned. The series of changes from each side resulted in this game ended more in the style of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. This of course suited the Italians perfectly. There was cause to consider how on earth Rangers, runners-up in this competition in 2022 and worthy of the quarter-finals a season ago, reached the point of just participating.