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There was admirable efficiency about the way the Italian side dealt with this trip to Scotland. Without much drama. The team from Italy’s capital did, however, face manageable rivals when putting their Europa League bid on the right path. Observers noted a obvious gulf in quality between Roma and a the Scottish team side that has now lost a club record seven European games in a row.

To their credit, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a second half when surrender felt the more likely option. However, the match was settled as a contest at that stage. The Scottish club remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a club of this standing. The Giallorossi have eyes again on making proper impact. One slight disappointment in this match was in not delivering a scoreline appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this marked only Roma’s second-ever European joust with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in 1961. The previous one, against Dundee United 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the corruption of a match official. Back then, teams from Scotland could vie with the best in Europe. The current campaign has seen the co-efficient plunge to a level that will shortly have huge consequences.

The new manager’s main quality up to now as the fanbase are concerned is that he is not Russell Martin. The latter’s dismal tenure as the manager lasted 123 days in the early part of this season. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential though within a tiny sample size. The dugouts witnessed a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is 36, his counterpart the Roma manager is 67.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the sides lined up. The home team’s obvious short stature against the Italians looked worrying. This point was proven within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante easily redirected a set-piece at the near post. At the back, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to fire his team in front. A Roma team without the unavailable Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge even with decent results in this campaign, were pleased with their early advantage.

Rangers should have levelled matters instantly. Instead, the forward sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. The player’s £8m purchase from Everton has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physique to be an effective centre forward but seems unwilling or unable to use them.

The Italian outfit controlled opening period the ball thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will lament the fact the midfielder was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. The stadium, typically a raucous venue on European nights, had been silenced nine minutes until halftime. The discontent which greeted the half-time whistle were subdued; Rangers were clearly in the midst of being outclassed.

The second period began against a unusual backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the top executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, the director. Two banners, obviously sinister in message, showed the pair with targets on their images. One wonders what the club owner thinks about all this. After all, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an anonymous life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before fronting a acquisition of this club. Paying punters have not turned on Cavenagh yet but there is a mutinous mood in the air. This is easy to understand; The team’s leadership is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, the striker was sent through on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and hit the side netting. That moment sparked Rangers’ finest spell of the game, in which their substitute the young midfielder fired just wide. Yet, however, difficult to gauge Roma’s continued offensive intent until the full-back was presented with a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably lifted and on to the underside of the crossbar.

That was it as far as meaningful chances were involved. The raft of changes from both teams meant this game ended more in the style of a summer exhibition than serious contest. This of course suited the Italians fine. It prompted reflection to ponder how exactly Rangers, finalists in this competition in recently and strong enough of the last eight a last year, arrived at the stage of just participating.