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Roma displayed admirable efficiency in the way Roma handled this journey to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. The team from Rome did, however, face manageable rivals when putting their Europa League bid back on track. There was a glaring gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team squad that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven European games in a row.

Positively, Rangers at least fought hard during a later period when surrender felt the more likely outcome. However, the game was decided as a competition at that stage. The Scottish club remain rooted to the bottom of the tournament, which should constitute an disgrace to a team of such stature. Roma have eyes once more on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment in this match was in not delivering a result appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second continental encounter with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup business with Hibs in 1961. Their last such match, against the Terrors over two decades later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a referee. In those days, teams from Scotland could compete with the best in Europe. This season has seen the co-efficient drop to a level that will soon have huge consequences.

The new manager’s main quality up to now as the fanbase are concerned is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s ghastly tenure as the head coach continued for just over four months in the initial phase of this season. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a tiny sample size. The technical areas witnessed a clash of generations; Röhl is 36, his opposite number the Roma manager is 67.

Another element was far more striking as the teams lined up. Rangers’ glaring short stature against the visitors looked worrying. This point was proven within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante easily flicked on a set-piece at the near post. Following up, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to knock Roma in front. The visitors minus the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge despite reasonable performances in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.

Rangers could have levelled matters immediately. Rather, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the Roma defence. The player’s £8m purchase from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an effective striker but appears reluctant or incapable to use them.

The Italian outfit controlled opening period possession thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net came after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will lament the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a superb strike. The stadium, typically a boisterous place on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes before the break. Even the boos which met the interval were timid; the home team were simply in the process of being overwhelmed.

The second period started against a curious backdrop. Supporters directed their focus once again towards the top executive, the CEO, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, clearly sinister in tone, showed the duo with targets on their faces. One wonders what the club owner thinks about the situation. After all, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile career as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a acquisition of Rangers. Paying punters have not turned on the owner so far but there is a rebellious mood around the club. This is easy to understand; The team’s leadership is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the hour mark and hit the side netting. That moment sparked Rangers’ finest spell of the game, in which their substitute the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. Yet, nonetheless, hard to determine the visitors’ remaining offensive intent until Zeki Celik was given a chance all of a yard out which he inexplicably hit up and on to the bottom of the bar.

That was it as far as meaningful opportunity were involved. The raft of changes from each side meant this fixture closed more in the style of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. That scenario benefited the Italians perfectly. There was cause to consider how exactly the Glasgow club, finalists in this tournament in recently and strong enough of the quarter-finals a last year, reached the point of making up the numbers.