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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness in the way Roma handled this trip to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. The team from Italy’s capital did, however, meet favourable opposition when putting their Europa League bid on the right path. There was a obvious gulf in quality between Roma and a Rangers side that has now lost a team record seven continental matches in a row.

To their credit, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a second half when capitulation felt the probable outcome. However, the match was decided as a competition by then. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should constitute an embarrassment to a club of such stature. The Giallorossi have ambitions again on achieving significant success. Their only regret in this match was in not delivering a scoreline appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this marked only Roma’s second-ever continental encounter with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in the early 60s. Their last such match, against the Terrors 23 years later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a match official. In those days, Scottish clubs could compete with the best in Europe. The current campaign has seen the co-efficient plunge to a level that will soon have huge consequences.

The new manager’s key attribute up to now as the Rangers support are see it is that he is not his predecessor. The latter’s dismal spell as the head coach continued for 123 days in the initial phase of the campaign. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a tiny sample size. The technical areas witnessed a generation game; Röhl is 36, his counterpart the Roma manager is 67.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the sides took the field. Rangers’ obvious lack of height against the visitors looked ominous. That concern was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante easily flicked on a corner at the near post. Following up, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to knock Roma in front. The visitors without the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with reasonable results in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side should have levelled matters immediately. Instead, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound purchase from Everton has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physical attributes to be an effective centre forward but seems reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit dominated opening period the ball from that point. Roma extended their advantage through their captain, whose curling shot into the far post of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will lament the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, typically a raucous venue on continental evenings, had been silenced nine minutes until halftime. The discontent which greeted the half-time whistle were timid; Rangers were simply in the process of being outclassed.

The second period began against a unusual atmosphere. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, clearly menacing in message, showed the pair with bullseyes on their images. One wonders what the club owner makes of all this. After all, the chairman enjoyed an anonymous life as a successful businessman in the United States before leading a acquisition of this club. Paying punters have not targeted Cavenagh so far but there is a rebellious mood in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; The team’s management is completely unconvincing.

Right on cue, Chermiti was sent through on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and hit the side netting. That moment sparked Rangers’ best period of the match, in which their substitute the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. It was, however, hard to determine the visitors’ remaining attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was presented with a chance from close range which he inexplicably hit up and onto the bottom of the bar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful opportunity were concerned. The series of substitutions from each side meant this game ended more in the style of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. That scenario benefited Roma perfectly. There was cause to consider how exactly the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in recently and worthy of the quarter-finals a season ago, arrived at the point of just participating.