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There was impressive effectiveness about the way the Italian side dealt with this trip to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when placing their European competition bid back on track. Observers noted a glaring difference in class between Roma and a the Scottish team side that has now lost a club record seven continental matches in a row.

Positively, the home side at least fought hard during a second half when capitulation felt the probable option. Yet, the match was settled as a competition by then. Rangers remain rooted to the foot of the tournament, which should represent an disgrace to a team of such stature. Roma have ambitions once more on making proper impact. Their only regret in this match was in not delivering a scoreline that truly reflected men against boys.

Surprisingly, this represented only Roma’s second continental encounter with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup business with Hibs in the early 60s. The previous one, against the Terrors over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the bribing of a referee. Back then, teams from Scotland could compete with the top sides in Europe. This season has seen the co-efficient plunge to a point that will soon have major ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are concerned is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s ghastly tenure as the manager continued for just over four months in the early part of the campaign. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has shown promise though within a tiny sample size. The technical areas saw a generation game; Röhl is thirty-six, his counterpart the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

Another element was far more striking as the teams took the field. The home team’s obvious short stature against the visitors looked worrying. This point was proven within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante easily flicked on a set-piece at the front post. Following up, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to knock his team ahead. The visitors minus the injured Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been questioned for bluntness even with reasonable performances in this campaign, were delighted with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side should have levelled matters instantly. Instead, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the Roma defence. The player’s £8m signing from Everton has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an productive striker but seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit controlled opening period possession from that point. Roma doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will lament the fact the midfielder was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. The stadium, typically a boisterous venue on European nights, had been silenced nine minutes before the break. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were timid; the home team were clearly in the midst of being outclassed.

The second period began against a curious atmosphere. Supporters directed their focus for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. A pair of displays, clearly menacing in message, depicted the pair with targets on their images. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about the situation. After all, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an anonymous career as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not targeted the owner so far but there is a mutinous feeling in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; The team’s leadership is completely unconvincing.

As if scripted, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the hour mark and hit the side netting. That moment sparked Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their replacement the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. Yet, however, hard to determine Roma’s continued offensive intent until Zeki Celik was given a chance from close range which he inexplicably hit up and on to the underside of the bar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut chances were involved. The series of substitutions from each side meant this fixture closed more in the style of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. That scenario benefited Roma fine. There was cause to consider how on earth the Glasgow club, runners-up in this tournament in recently and worthy of the last eight a season ago, reached the stage of just participating.