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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness in the way the Italian side handled this trip to Glasgow. Without much drama. Roma from Rome did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when placing their Europa League bid back on track. Observers noted a glaring gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team squad that has now lost a team record seven European games in a row.

Positively, Rangers at least fought hard during a later period when capitulation felt the probable outcome. However, the game was settled as a competition by then. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a team of this standing. The Giallorossi have eyes again on achieving significant success. Their only regret here was in not producing a scoreline that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second European joust with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in 1961. The previous one, against the Terrors 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a referee. In those days, Scottish clubs could compete with the best in the continent. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a point that will soon have major ramifications.

The new manager’s key attribute up to now as the Rangers support are concerned is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s dismal tenure as the manager lasted just over four months in the early part of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential though within a tiny sample size. The dugouts saw a generation game; Röhl is thirty-six, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

Another element was much more noticeable as the teams lined up. The home team’s obvious lack of height against the Italians looked ominous. This point was proven within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder comfortably redirected a corner at the near post. Following up, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to knock his team in front. A Roma team without the unavailable Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge even with decent results in this campaign, were pleased with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side should have levelled matters instantly. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. Chermiti’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 appears unwilling or unable to use them.

The Italian outfit dominated opening period possession from that point. They extended their advantage through their captain, whose curling shot into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will lament the fact Pellegrini stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous finish. The stadium, usually a boisterous place on European nights, had been silenced with time still remaining before the break. Even the boos which greeted the half-time whistle were timid; the home team were simply in the process of being outclassed.

After the break started against a curious backdrop. Those Rangers fans directed their focus once again towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, obviously menacing in message, showed the duo with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman makes of the situation. After all, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before leading a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not turned on Cavenagh yet but there is a mutinous mood around the club. This is easy to understand; The team’s management is wholly unconvincing.

As if scripted, Chermiti was played in on the keeper on the hour mark and found only the outside of the goal. This actually triggered Rangers’ finest spell of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. It was, however, difficult to determine the visitors’ continued offensive intent until the full-back was given a chance from close range which he inexplicably hit up and onto the bottom of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were concerned. The series of changes from each side meant this fixture ended more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. That scenario benefited Roma perfectly. It prompted reflection to ponder how on earth the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in recently and worthy of the quarter-finals a last year, arrived at the point of just participating.