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Roma displayed admirable efficiency in the way Roma dealt with this journey to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. The team from Rome did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when putting their Europa League bid back on track. Observers noted a glaring difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers side that has now lost a team record seven European games in a row.

Positively, 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 rooted to the bottom of the Europa League, which should represent an embarrassment to a club of this standing. The Giallorossi have eyes again on making proper impact. Their only regret in this match was in not producing a scoreline that truly reflected men against boys.

Surprisingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second-ever European joust with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in 1961. Their last such match, against the Terrors 23 years later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a referee. Back then, teams from Scotland could compete with the top sides in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will soon have major ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute up to now as the fanbase are see it is that he isn’t Russell Martin. The latter’s dismal tenure as the head coach lasted just over four months in the initial phase of this season. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a limited timeframe. The dugouts witnessed a generation game; Röhl is 36, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

A further factor was far more striking as the sides lined up. Rangers’ glaring lack of height against the Italians looked ominous. This point was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante easily flicked on a set-piece at the near post. Following up, the Argentine winger burst forward to knock Roma in front. A Roma team minus the unavailable their young striker and their star attacker, who have been questioned for bluntness despite reasonable performances in this campaign, 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. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound purchase from Everton has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physique to be an effective striker but seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit dominated opening period possession thereafter. They doubled their lead through their captain, whose curling shot into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net came after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will bemoan the fact Pellegrini was left in complete freedom but it was a superb finish. Ibrox, typically a raucous venue on continental evenings, had been silenced nine minutes before the break. Even the boos which greeted the half-time whistle were timid; the home team were clearly in the midst of being outclassed.

The second period started against a unusual backdrop. Supporters directed their focus for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, obviously menacing in tone, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman makes of the situation. After all, the chairman had an anonymous career as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a acquisition of this club. Paying punters have not targeted Cavenagh so far but there is a rebellious feeling around the club. It is one which is easy to understand; Rangers’ management is completely unconvincing.

As if scripted, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and found only the side netting. This actually triggered Rangers’ finest spell of the match, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. Yet, however, hard to determine the visitors’ remaining offensive intent until Zeki Celik was presented with a chance from close range which he inexplicably hit up and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful opportunity were concerned. The raft of substitutions from each side resulted in this game closed more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than competitive match. This of course suited Roma perfectly. It prompted reflection to consider how on earth Rangers, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and strong enough of the quarter-finals a season ago, arrived at the stage of making up the numbers.