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Roma displayed admirable efficiency in the way Roma handled this trip to Scotland. Without much drama. The team from Rome did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when placing their Europa League bid back on track. Observers noted a glaring gulf in quality between Roma and a the Scottish team side that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven continental matches in a row.

Positively, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a second half when capitulation felt the more likely outcome. However, the game was settled as a competition by then. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the Europa League, which should represent an embarrassment to a club of such stature. Roma have eyes once more on making proper impact. One slight disappointment in this match was in not producing a scoreline appropriately depicting men against boys.

Amazingly, this marked only Roma’s second European joust with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in 1961. Their last such match, against the Terrors over two decades later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a match official. In those days, Scottish clubs could compete with the top sides in the continent. The current campaign has seen the co-efficient drop to a level that will shortly have major consequences.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute so far as the fanbase are see it is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s ghastly spell as the head coach lasted 123 days in the early part of this season. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a generation game; Röhl is 36, his opposite number the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

A further factor was far more striking as the sides lined up. Rangers’ glaring short stature against the visitors looked worrying. That concern was proven within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante comfortably redirected a set-piece at the near post. Following up, the Argentine winger burst forward to knock Roma in front. A Roma team without the injured their young striker and their star attacker, who have been criticised for bluntness despite decent results in this campaign, were delighted with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side could have levelled matters instantly. Instead, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s £8m purchase from the Toffees has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physical attributes to be an effective centre forward but appears reluctant or incapable to use them.

The Italian outfit dominated first-half possession from that point. They extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a superb strike. Ibrox, typically a boisterous venue on continental evenings, had been silenced with time still remaining before the break. Even the boos which greeted the half-time whistle were timid; the home team were simply in the process of being overwhelmed.

The second period started against a unusual backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, clearly sinister in message, depicted the pair with targets on their images. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman thinks about the situation. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh had an anonymous career as a successful businessman in the United States before leading a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not targeted Cavenagh so far but there is a mutinous feeling in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; The team’s leadership is wholly unimpressive.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and found only the side netting. That moment sparked Rangers’ finest spell of the match, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. It was, however, hard to gauge Roma’s remaining offensive intent until Zeki Celik was presented with a opportunity all of a yard out which he somehow hit up and onto the bottom of the bar.

That was it as far as clear-cut chances were involved. The raft of changes from both teams resulted in this fixture closed more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. That scenario benefited Roma fine. It prompted reflection to consider how on earth the Glasgow club, finalists in this competition in 2022 and worthy of the last eight a season ago, reached the stage of just participating.