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Roma displayed admirable efficiency in the way the Italian side handled this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. The team from Italy’s capital did, however, face manageable rivals when putting their European competition bid back on track. Observers noted a glaring gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers squad that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven European games consecutively.

Positively, Rangers at least fought hard during a later period when capitulation felt the probable option. However, the game was settled as a contest by then. The Scottish club remain rooted to the foot of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a team of such stature. The Giallorossi have eyes again on achieving significant success. Their only regret in this match was in not producing a scoreline that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second-ever continental encounter with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup business with Hibs in the early 60s. The previous one, against Dundee United over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the bribing of a match official. Back then, Scottish clubs could vie with the top sides in the continent. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a level that will shortly have major consequences.

The new manager’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he is not Russell Martin. The latter’s dismal tenure as the head coach lasted 123 days in the initial phase of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a tiny sample size. The technical areas saw a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is 36, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

A further factor 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 the Roma midfielder easily redirected a set-piece at the front post. Following up, the Argentine winger burst forward to fire Roma in front. The visitors minus the unavailable Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge despite decent performances in this campaign, were pleased with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side could have levelled matters instantly. Instead, the forward sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. The player’s eight-million-pound purchase from the Toffees has piled pressure on the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an productive centre forward but appears reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated opening period possession thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through their captain, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net came after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will lament the fact Pellegrini stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous finish. The stadium, usually a raucous venue on European nights, had been quietened nine minutes before the break. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were timid; the home team were simply in the midst of being outclassed.

The second period began against a unusual backdrop. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions once again towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, obviously menacing in tone, depicted the duo with targets on their images. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about the situation. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile life as a successful businessman in the United States before leading a acquisition of this club. Paying punters have not turned on Cavenagh yet but there is a mutinous feeling in the air. This is unsurprising; The team’s management is completely unimpressive.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and found only the outside of the goal. This actually triggered Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their substitute the young midfielder fired just wide. It was, nonetheless, difficult to gauge the visitors’ remaining attacking motivation until the full-back was given a chance all of a yard out which he inexplicably lifted and onto the bottom of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut chances were involved. The series of changes from each side meant this game closed more in the style of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. This of course suited Roma fine. There was cause to consider how exactly Rangers, runners-up in this tournament in recently and strong enough of the last eight a season ago, arrived at the stage of making up the numbers.