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There was admirable efficiency in the way Roma handled this trip to Scotland. Without much drama. The team from Italy’s capital did, however, face manageable rivals when placing their Europa League bid back on track. There was a glaring difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers squad that has now lost a team record seven European games consecutively.

Positively, Rangers at least fought hard during a second half when capitulation felt the probable option. However, the match was settled as a contest by then. The Scottish club remain anchored at the bottom of the tournament, which should constitute an disgrace to a club of this standing. The Giallorossi have eyes once more on making proper impact. Their only regret here was in not delivering a result that truly reflected men against boys.

Surprisingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second-ever European joust with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup business with Hibernian 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 vie with the best in the continent. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will soon have major ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s main quality up to now as the fanbase are see it is that he isn’t Russell Martin. The latter’s ghastly tenure as the manager continued for just over four months in the initial phase of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has shown promise though within a limited timeframe. The dugouts witnessed a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is 36, his opposite number the Roma manager is 67.

Another element was much more noticeable as the teams took the field. The home team’s obvious lack of height against the visitors looked worrying. That concern was confirmed within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante easily flicked on a set-piece at the near post. Following up, the Argentine winger burst forward to fire his team ahead. A Roma team minus the injured their young striker and their star attacker, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge even with reasonable performances in the tournament, were pleased with their early advantage.

Rangers could have equalised instantly. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an productive striker but seems reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated opening period possession from that point. They extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the far post of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will lament the fact the midfielder stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. Ibrox, usually a raucous place on continental evenings, had been silenced with time still remaining until halftime. Even the boos which greeted the interval were timid; the home team were simply in the midst of being overwhelmed.

The second period began against a unusual atmosphere. Supporters directed their focus for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, clearly sinister in tone, showed the pair with bullseyes on their images. One wonders what the Rangers chairman makes of the situation. After all, Andrew Cavenagh had an anonymous life as a successful businessman in the United States before leading a acquisition of this club. Paying punters have not targeted Cavenagh yet but there is a rebellious feeling in the air. This is unsurprising; The team’s management is completely unconvincing.

As if scripted, the striker was sent through on goal on the hour mark and hit the side netting. This actually triggered the home side’s finest spell of the game, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. Yet, however, hard to gauge the visitors’ continued attacking motivation until the full-back was given a chance all of a yard out which he inexplicably lifted and onto the bottom of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful chances were involved. The raft of changes from each side meant this game closed more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than serious contest. That scenario benefited the Italians fine. It prompted reflection to consider how on earth Rangers, runners-up in this competition in recently and worthy of the last eight a season ago, reached the stage of making up the numbers.