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There was admirable efficiency in the way Roma handled this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. Roma from Rome did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when putting their Europa League bid back on track. There was a obvious gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers side that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven continental matches consecutively.

Positively, Rangers at least fought hard during a later period when surrender felt the more likely option. However, the match was decided as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the tournament, which should represent an embarrassment to a team of this standing. Roma have eyes once more on making proper impact. One slight disappointment in this match was in not delivering a result appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second-ever continental encounter with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in 1961. The previous one, against Dundee United over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a referee. Back then, Scottish clubs could compete with the top sides in Europe. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a point that will soon have major ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s main quality up to now as the Rangers support are see it is that he is not his predecessor. The latter’s dismal spell as the head coach continued for just over four months in the initial phase of the campaign. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a limited timeframe. The dugouts witnessed a generation game; the Rangers boss is 36, his counterpart the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides lined up. Rangers’ obvious lack of height against the visitors looked ominous. This point was confirmed within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder easily redirected a corner at the near post. Following up, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to fire Roma ahead. The visitors without the injured their young striker and their star attacker, who have been criticised for bluntness even with reasonable performances in this campaign, were pleased with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side could have equalised immediately. Instead, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. The player’s £8m purchase from the Toffees has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an productive centre forward but appears reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit dominated first-half the ball from that point. They doubled their lead through their captain, whose curling shot into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net came after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will bemoan the fact Pellegrini stood in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. Ibrox, typically a boisterous place on continental evenings, had been silenced nine minutes until halftime. Even the boos which greeted the interval were subdued; the home team were clearly in the process of being outclassed.

After the break began against a curious backdrop. Those Rangers fans directed their focus for the latest time towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously sinister in message, showed the duo with targets on their faces. It raises questions what the club owner makes of all this. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh had an anonymous career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before fronting a acquisition of Rangers. Fans have not targeted Cavenagh yet but there is a rebellious feeling around the club. This is unsurprising; The team’s leadership is completely unconvincing.

As if scripted, the striker was played in on goal on the 60-minute mark and hit the outside of the goal. That moment sparked the home side’s best period of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. It was, nonetheless, hard to gauge Roma’s continued offensive intent until the full-back was presented with a opportunity all of a yard out which he inexplicably lifted and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful chances were involved. The series of changes from both teams resulted in this game ended more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than competitive match. That scenario benefited the Italians perfectly. It prompted reflection to consider how on earth Rangers, finalists in this competition in 2022 and strong enough of the last eight a last year, arrived at the point of making up the numbers.