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There was impressive effectiveness in the way the Italian side handled this journey to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Italy’s capital did, however, meet favourable opposition when putting their Europa League bid back on track. Observers noted a obvious gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team side that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven continental matches consecutively.

Positively, the home side at least fought hard during a second half when surrender felt the probable option. Yet, the game was settled as a competition by then. The Scottish club remain rooted to the bottom of the Europa League, which should constitute an embarrassment to a team of such stature. The Giallorossi have eyes again on making proper impact. One slight disappointment here was in not producing a scoreline that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this marked only Roma’s second European joust 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 politely) by the bribing of a match official. In those days, teams from Scotland could compete with the best in the continent. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a point that will shortly have major ramifications.

The new manager’s key attribute so far as the fanbase are see it is that he isn’t his predecessor. The latter’s dismal spell as the manager lasted just over four months in the early part of this season. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The technical areas witnessed a generation game; Röhl is 36, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the teams took the field. Rangers’ obvious lack of height against the visitors looked ominous. This point was proven within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder easily redirected a corner at the near post. Following up, Matías Soulé burst forward to knock Roma in front. The visitors minus the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge despite decent results in the tournament, were delighted with their early advantage.

Rangers should have levelled matters instantly. Rather, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the Roma defence. The player’s eight-million-pound purchase from Everton has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an effective centre forward but seems unwilling or unable to use them.

Roma controlled opening period possession thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through their captain, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will bemoan the fact Pellegrini stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous finish. Ibrox, typically a raucous venue on continental evenings, had been silenced nine minutes before the break. Even the boos which greeted the interval were timid; the home team were clearly in the midst of being overwhelmed.

The second period began against a unusual backdrop. Supporters directed their focus for the latest time towards the top executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously menacing in tone, showed the pair with targets on their faces. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman thinks about the situation. After all, Andrew Cavenagh had an anonymous life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before fronting a acquisition of this club. Paying punters have not targeted the owner so far but there is a mutinous mood around the club. It is one which is easy to understand; The team’s management is completely unconvincing.

As if scripted, the striker was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and hit the outside of the goal. That moment sparked Rangers’ finest spell of the match, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. It was, however, difficult to gauge Roma’s remaining attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was given a chance from close range which he inexplicably hit up and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That was it as far as clear-cut opportunity were concerned. The raft of substitutions from each side resulted in this game closed more in the style of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. This of course suited Roma perfectly. There was cause to consider how exactly the Glasgow club, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and worthy of the last eight a last year, reached the point of just participating.