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There was admirable efficiency about the way the Italian side dealt with this trip to Glasgow. Without much drama. Roma from Rome did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when putting their European competition bid back on track. Observers noted a glaring difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team squad that has now lost a club record seven European games consecutively.

Positively, the home side at least fought hard during a later period when surrender felt the probable option. However, the match was decided as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain rooted to the foot of the Europa League, which should constitute an embarrassment to a club of this standing. The Giallorossi have ambitions again on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment here was in not delivering a scoreline that truly reflected men against boys.

Amazingly, this represented only Roma’s second-ever European joust with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in 1961. The previous one, against the Terrors over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the bribing of a match official. In those days, teams from Scotland could vie with the best in the continent. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a point that will soon have huge consequences.

Danny Röhl’s main quality so far as the fanbase are see it is that he isn’t Russell Martin. Martin’s ghastly spell as the manager lasted 123 days in the initial phase of the campaign. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise though within a tiny sample size. The technical areas saw a clash of generations; Röhl is thirty-six, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

Another element was far more striking as the sides took the field. The home team’s obvious short stature against the visitors looked ominous. This point was confirmed within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder comfortably redirected a corner at the near post. At the back, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to knock Roma in front. A Roma team minus the unavailable Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge even with decent results in the tournament, were delighted with their early advantage.

Rangers should have equalised immediately. Instead, the forward sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. The player’s eight-million-pound signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physical attributes to be an productive centre forward but appears reluctant or incapable to use them.

The Italian outfit dominated first-half possession thereafter. They extended their advantage through their captain, whose curling shot into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will bemoan the fact the midfielder was left in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, usually a raucous venue on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. Even the boos which greeted the interval were timid; Rangers were clearly in the midst of being overwhelmed.

After the break started against a unusual backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. A pair of displays, obviously sinister in tone, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their faces. One wonders what the club owner makes of all this. After all, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an low-profile life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before leading a acquisition of this club. Fans have not targeted Cavenagh so far but there is a rebellious mood in the air. It is one which is unsurprising; Rangers’ leadership is completely unconvincing.

Right on cue, the striker was sent through on the keeper on the hour mark and found only the side netting. That moment sparked Rangers’ finest spell of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. It was, however, hard to determine Roma’s remaining offensive intent until Zeki Celik was given a chance from close range which he inexplicably hit up and onto the bottom of the bar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were involved. The series of changes from both teams meant this game ended more in the style of a summer exhibition than serious contest. This of course suited the Italians fine. It prompted reflection to consider how exactly Rangers, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and strong enough of the last eight a last year, reached the point of just participating.