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There was impressive effectiveness in the way Roma handled this trip to Glasgow. Without much drama. The team from Rome did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when putting their European competition bid on the right path. There was a glaring difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team squad that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven European games in a row.

Positively, the home side at least fought hard during a second half when capitulation felt the probable outcome. However, the game was settled as a contest at that stage. Rangers remain rooted to the bottom of the tournament, which should constitute an embarrassment to a team of such stature. Roma have ambitions again on making proper impact. Their only regret here was in not delivering a scoreline that truly reflected men against boys.

Surprisingly, this marked only Roma’s second-ever continental encounter with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in the early 60s. The previous one, against Dundee United 23 years later, became marred (to put it politely) by the corruption of a referee. Back then, teams from Scotland could vie with the top sides in Europe. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a point that will soon have major ramifications.

The new manager’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s ghastly spell as the head coach continued for 123 days in the initial phase of this season. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The technical areas witnessed a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is 36, his opposite number the Roma manager is 67.

A further factor was far more striking as the teams lined up. The home team’s glaring lack of height against the Italians looked ominous. This point was proven within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder easily redirected a corner at the front post. At the back, Matías Soulé burst forward to knock his team ahead. The visitors without the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for bluntness even with reasonable performances in the tournament, were delighted with their quick lead.

Rangers could have levelled matters immediately. Rather, the forward sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the Roma defence. Chermiti’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 striker but seems reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

Roma controlled first-half possession thereafter. They extended their advantage through their captain, whose bent effort into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will lament the fact the midfielder was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb strike. The stadium, usually a boisterous place on European nights, had been silenced with time still remaining until halftime. Even the boos which met the half-time whistle were subdued; Rangers were clearly in the process of being overwhelmed.

The second period started against a curious atmosphere. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions once again towards the top executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously menacing in message, showed the pair with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the club owner makes of the situation. After all, Andrew Cavenagh had an anonymous career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before leading a takeover of Rangers. Paying punters have not targeted Cavenagh so far but there is a mutinous feeling in the air. This is easy to understand; Rangers’ leadership is completely unimpressive.

Right on cue, the striker was sent through on goal on the hour mark and found only the outside of the goal. That moment sparked Rangers’ finest spell of the game, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. It was, nonetheless, hard to determine Roma’s continued offensive intent until the full-back was given a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably lifted and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful opportunity were concerned. The raft of substitutions from both teams resulted in this fixture ended more in the style of a summer exhibition than competitive match. This of course suited the Italians perfectly. It prompted reflection to ponder how on earth the Glasgow club, finalists in this competition in 2022 and worthy of the quarter-finals a season ago, reached the point of making up the numbers.