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There was impressive effectiveness about the way Roma dealt with this trip to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. The team from Rome did, however, face manageable rivals when placing their European competition bid on the right path. Observers noted a obvious difference in class between Roma and a the Scottish team squad that has now lost a club record seven European games in a row.

Positively, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a second half when surrender felt the probable option. Yet, 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 team of such stature. The Giallorossi have eyes again on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment in this match was in not producing a result appropriately depicting men against boys.

Surprisingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second European joust with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibs in 1961. The previous one, against Dundee United 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the bribing of a match official. Back then, Scottish clubs could vie with the top sides in Europe. This season has seen the co-efficient drop to a level that will shortly have major consequences.

The new manager’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he isn’t his predecessor. The latter’s dismal spell as the manager lasted just over four months in the initial phase of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The technical areas witnessed a generation game; Röhl is thirty-six, his opposite number the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the teams lined up. Rangers’ glaring lack of height against the Italians looked ominous. This point was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder comfortably flicked on a corner at the front post. At the back, Matías Soulé burst forward to knock Roma ahead. The visitors without the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness even with reasonable results in this campaign, were pleased with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side should have equalised instantly. Instead, the forward sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. 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 utilize them fully.

Roma controlled opening period the ball thereafter. They extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will lament the fact Pellegrini stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, typically a boisterous place on continental evenings, 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 midst of being overwhelmed.

The second period started against a curious atmosphere. Supporters directed their focus for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, clearly menacing in tone, showed the duo with bullseyes on their faces. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman makes of all this. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh had an anonymous career as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a acquisition of this club. Fans have not targeted the owner yet but there is a mutinous mood in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; Rangers’ management is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on goal on the hour mark and hit the side netting. That moment sparked the home side’s finest spell of the match, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. Yet, however, difficult to gauge Roma’s remaining attacking motivation until the full-back was given a chance all of a yard out which he somehow hit up and onto the bottom of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were concerned. The series of changes from both teams resulted in this game ended more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. This of course suited Roma fine. It prompted reflection to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in 2022 and strong enough of the last eight a season ago, reached the stage of just participating.