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Roma displayed admirable efficiency in the way Roma dealt with this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. Roma from Italy’s capital did, however, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid back on track. There was a obvious difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers side that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven European games consecutively.

To their credit, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a second half when capitulation felt the probable outcome. However, the game was settled as a contest by then. The Scottish club remain rooted to the foot of the tournament, which should constitute an disgrace to a club of such stature. Roma have ambitions again on making proper impact. One slight disappointment in this match was in not delivering a scoreline that truly reflected men against boys.

Amazingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second continental encounter with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in 1961. Their last such match, against the Terrors over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a match official. Back then, teams from Scotland could compete with the top sides in the continent. This season has seen the co-efficient drop to a level that will soon have huge ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he isn’t Russell Martin. The latter’s ghastly tenure as the head coach lasted 123 days in the early part of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a tiny sample size. The dugouts saw a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

Another element was far more striking as the teams lined up. The home team’s obvious lack of height against the visitors looked worrying. That concern was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder comfortably flicked on a corner at the near post. At the back, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to fire his team ahead. A Roma team without the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge despite reasonable performances in this campaign, were pleased with their quick lead.

Rangers could have equalised instantly. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s £8m purchase from Everton has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physical attributes to be an effective striker but appears reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit controlled first-half possession from that point. They doubled their lead through their captain, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net came after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will lament the fact the midfielder stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. Ibrox, usually a raucous venue on European nights, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. Even the boos which greeted the half-time whistle were subdued; the home team were clearly in the process of being outclassed.

After the break started against a curious backdrop. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions once again towards the top executive, the CEO, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, obviously menacing in tone, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their images. One wonders what the club owner thinks about all this. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh had an anonymous career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before leading a takeover of Rangers. Paying punters have not turned on the owner yet but there is a mutinous mood in the air. It is one which is unsurprising; The team’s management is completely unimpressive.

Right on cue, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and found only the side netting. That moment sparked the home side’s finest spell of the match, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. It was, however, difficult to gauge Roma’s remaining offensive intent until the full-back was given a chance all of a yard out which he somehow lifted and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That was it as far as meaningful opportunity were involved. The raft of substitutions from each side resulted in this fixture closed more in the style of a summer exhibition than serious contest. That scenario benefited Roma perfectly. It prompted reflection to consider how on earth Rangers, runners-up in this competition in recently and strong enough of the last eight a season ago, reached the stage of making up the numbers.