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There was impressive effectiveness in the way Roma dealt with this trip to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when putting their European competition bid on the right path. Observers noted a obvious gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team squad that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven continental matches in a row.

To their credit, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a later period when surrender felt the probable option. However, the match was settled as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the tournament, which should represent an disgrace to a club of such stature. Roma have ambitions once more on making proper impact. One slight disappointment here was in not delivering a result appropriately depicting men against boys.

Amazingly, this represented only Roma’s second-ever continental encounter with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in the early 60s. The previous one, against the Terrors 23 years later, became marred (to put it politely) by the corruption of a match official. In those days, Scottish clubs could compete with the best in Europe. This season has seen the co-efficient drop to a point that will shortly have huge ramifications.

The new manager’s main quality so far as the Rangers support are concerned is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s ghastly tenure as the head coach lasted 123 days in the initial phase of this season. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The technical areas saw a clash of generations; Röhl is thirty-six, his counterpart the Roma manager is 67.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the teams took the field. The home team’s obvious short stature against the Italians looked ominous. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder easily redirected a corner at the near post. Following up, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to knock his team in front. The visitors without the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge despite reasonable performances in the tournament, were delighted with their early advantage.

Rangers should have equalised immediately. Rather, the forward screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the Roma defence. The player’s £8m purchase from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an productive centre forward but seems reluctant or incapable to use them.

The Italian outfit dominated first-half the ball from that point. Roma extended their advantage through their captain, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net came after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will lament the fact Pellegrini was left in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous strike. Ibrox, usually a boisterous place on continental evenings, had been quietened with time still remaining before the break. Even the boos which met the half-time whistle were subdued; the home team were simply in the process of being outclassed.

The second period began against a curious atmosphere. Supporters directed their focus once again towards the top executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, obviously sinister in tone, showed the pair with bullseyes on their faces. One wonders what the Rangers chairman makes of the situation. Ultimately, the chairman had an anonymous career as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a acquisition of Rangers. Fans have not turned on Cavenagh yet but there is a mutinous feeling in the air. It is one which is unsurprising; The team’s leadership is completely unconvincing.

As if scripted, Chermiti was sent through on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and found only the outside of the goal. This actually triggered the home side’s best period of the match, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. Yet, however, hard to gauge the visitors’ continued offensive intent until the full-back was presented with a opportunity all of a yard out which he inexplicably hit up and onto the bottom of the bar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful chances were concerned. The raft of changes from each side resulted in this game ended more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than competitive match. This of course suited the Italians fine. It prompted reflection to consider how on earth the Glasgow club, finalists in this competition in 2022 and strong enough of the quarter-finals a season ago, reached the stage of making up the numbers.