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Roma displayed admirable efficiency in the way the Italian side handled this trip to Glasgow. Without much drama. Roma from Rome did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when putting their Europa League bid back on track. Observers noted a glaring gulf in quality between Roma and a the Scottish team squad that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven continental matches in a row.

To their credit, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a later period when surrender felt the probable outcome. Yet, the match was settled as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should constitute an disgrace to a team of such stature. Roma have eyes once more on making proper impact. Their only regret here was in not delivering a scoreline appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second European joust with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in 1961. The previous one, against the Terrors 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the bribing of a referee. In those days, Scottish clubs could vie with the best in the continent. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a point that will soon have major ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s main quality up to now as the Rangers support are see it is that he isn’t Russell Martin. Martin’s ghastly spell as the head coach continued for just over four months in the early part of this season. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The technical areas saw a clash of generations; Röhl is 36, his opposite number the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides lined up. The home team’s obvious short stature against the visitors looked ominous. This point was confirmed within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante easily flicked on a set-piece at the front post. At the back, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to fire his team in front. The visitors without the unavailable their young striker and their star attacker, 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 screwed his shot wide after a mix-up 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 physique to be an productive striker but appears reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit dominated opening period possession from that point. Roma extended their advantage through their captain, whose bent effort into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will bemoan the fact Pellegrini stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous finish. Ibrox, typically a boisterous venue on European nights, had been silenced nine minutes before the break. Even the boos which met the half-time whistle were subdued; the home team were clearly in the midst of being overwhelmed.

After the break began against a curious atmosphere. Those Rangers fans directed their focus for the latest time towards the top executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, the director. A pair of displays, clearly menacing in tone, depicted the duo with targets on their faces. One wonders what the Rangers chairman makes of the situation. After all, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an low-profile life as a successful businessman in the US before fronting a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not turned on Cavenagh so far but there is a rebellious mood around the club. It is one which is easy to understand; The team’s leadership is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, Chermiti was sent through on the keeper on the hour mark and found only the outside of the goal. This actually triggered the home side’s finest spell of the match, in which their substitute the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. It was, nonetheless, difficult to gauge Roma’s continued attacking motivation until the full-back was given a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably hit up and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful chances were involved. The raft of substitutions from both teams meant this fixture ended more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. This of course suited Roma perfectly. There was cause to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in recently and strong enough of the quarter-finals a last year, reached the stage of making up the numbers.