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There was admirable efficiency about the way the Italian side handled this trip to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Rome did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid back on track. There was 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 European games in a row.

To their credit, Rangers at least fought hard during a later period when capitulation felt the more likely outcome. However, the game was settled as a contest 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 making proper impact. One slight disappointment in this match was in not producing a result that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second-ever European joust with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in 1961. Their last such match, against Dundee United 23 years later, became marred (to put it politely) by the corruption of a referee. In those days, teams from Scotland could vie with the best in Europe. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a point that will shortly 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 manager continued for just over four months in the early part of the campaign. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential though within a tiny sample size. The dugouts witnessed a clash of generations; Röhl is thirty-six, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

A further factor was far more striking as the teams took the field. Rangers’ glaring short stature against the Italians looked ominous. That concern was confirmed within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder comfortably redirected a set-piece at the near post. Following up, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to fire his team ahead. A Roma team minus the injured Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness even with decent performances in this campaign, were delighted with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side should have levelled matters instantly. Rather, the forward sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. The player’s £8m purchase from Everton has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physique to be an productive striker but seems reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

Roma controlled opening period possession thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net came after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will bemoan the fact Pellegrini stood in complete freedom but it was a superb strike. The stadium, usually a boisterous place on European nights, had been quietened nine minutes before the break. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were subdued; the home team were clearly in the process of being outclassed.

After the break started against a unusual backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions once again towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously menacing in message, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about the situation. After all, the chairman enjoyed an anonymous life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before fronting a takeover of Rangers. Paying punters have not turned on the owner so far but there is a mutinous feeling in the air. This is easy to understand; Rangers’ management is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on goal on the hour mark and found only the side netting. This actually triggered the home side’s best period of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. Yet, however, hard to gauge the visitors’ remaining offensive intent until the full-back was given a chance from close range which he somehow hit up and on to the bottom of the crossbar.

That was it as far as meaningful chances were involved. The series of changes from both teams meant this fixture ended more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than serious contest. This of course suited Roma perfectly. There was cause to consider how exactly the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in recently and worthy of the last eight a last year, reached the point of making up the numbers.