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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness in the way Roma handled this journey to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Rome did, however, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid back on track. There was a glaring difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers side that has now lost a club record seven continental matches in a row.

To their credit, the home side at least fought hard during a second half when capitulation felt the probable outcome. Yet, the match was settled as a competition at that stage. The Scottish club remain anchored at the foot of the Europa League, which should constitute an embarrassment to a team of this standing. Roma have ambitions again on achieving significant success. Their only regret in this match was in not producing a scoreline appropriately depicting men against boys.

Surprisingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second European joust with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in 1961. The previous one, against Dundee United over two decades later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a match official. Back then, teams from Scotland could compete with the best in the continent. This season has seen the co-efficient plunge to a level that will shortly have major ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are concerned is that he isn’t Russell Martin. Martin’s ghastly spell 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 tiny sample size. The technical areas witnessed a generation game; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his opposite number the Roma manager is 67.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides lined up. The home team’s glaring lack of height against the Italians looked ominous. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the near post. At the back, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to fire his team ahead. A Roma team without the unavailable Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness even with decent results in this campaign, were pleased with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side could have equalised immediately. Instead, the forward sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound signing from the Toffees has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an effective centre forward but seems reluctant or incapable to use them.

Roma controlled first-half possession thereafter. They doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the far post of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. Ibrox, typically a boisterous venue on continental evenings, had been silenced with time still remaining until halftime. The discontent which greeted the half-time whistle were subdued; the home team were simply in the process of being outclassed.

After the break started against a unusual atmosphere. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the top executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, obviously sinister 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 anonymous career as a successful businessman in the United States before leading a takeover of Rangers. Paying punters have not targeted the owner yet but there is a mutinous feeling around the club. It is one which is unsurprising; Rangers’ management is wholly unimpressive.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and hit the side netting. This actually triggered Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. Yet, nonetheless, hard to gauge Roma’s remaining offensive intent until the full-back was given a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably hit up and onto 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 fashion of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. That scenario benefited Roma perfectly. It prompted reflection to ponder how exactly Rangers, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and strong enough of the last eight a last year, reached the point of just participating.