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There was impressive effectiveness about the way the Italian side handled this trip to Scotland. Without much drama. Roma from Rome did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when putting their European competition bid back on track. There was a obvious gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers squad that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven continental matches consecutively.

Positively, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a later period when capitulation felt the more likely option. However, the match was settled as a contest by then. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the tournament, which should constitute an disgrace to a club of such stature. The Giallorossi have eyes again on making proper impact. Their only regret in this match was in not delivering a scoreline that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this marked only Roma’s second-ever continental encounter with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in 1961. Their last such match, against the Terrors 23 years later, became marred (to put it politely) by the bribing of a match official. In those days, Scottish clubs could vie with the top sides in Europe. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a point that will shortly have huge consequences.

Danny Röhl’s main quality up to now as the Rangers support are see it is that he isn’t Russell Martin. The latter’s ghastly tenure as the head coach lasted just over four months in the early part of the campaign. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential though within a tiny sample size. The technical areas witnessed a generation game; the Rangers boss is 36, his opposite number the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

A further factor was far more striking as the sides took the field. The home team’s obvious lack of height against the visitors looked ominous. That concern was proven within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder comfortably flicked on a corner at the near post. At the back, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to knock Roma in front. A Roma team without the injured Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge despite decent results in this campaign, were pleased with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side could have levelled matters immediately. Rather, the forward sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s £8m signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an productive centre forward but seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated opening period possession thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will bemoan the fact Pellegrini stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous strike. Ibrox, typically a boisterous place on European nights, had been quietened with time still remaining before the break. Even the boos which met the interval were subdued; the home team were simply in the midst of being overwhelmed.

The second period began against a unusual atmosphere. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions once again towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. A pair of displays, clearly menacing in message, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the club owner makes of the situation. After all, the chairman enjoyed an low-profile life as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a takeover of this club. Fans have not targeted the owner yet but there is a rebellious mood around the club. It is one which is unsurprising; Rangers’ leadership is wholly unconvincing.

As if scripted, the striker was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and found only the side netting. That moment sparked Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. Yet, nonetheless, hard to gauge Roma’s continued offensive intent until the full-back was presented with a chance all of a yard out which he somehow hit up and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful opportunity were concerned. The raft of changes from both teams resulted in this fixture ended more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. This of course suited Roma fine. There was cause to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and worthy of the quarter-finals a last year, arrived at the point of making up the numbers.