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There was impressive effectiveness in the way the Italian side dealt with this journey to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. The team from Rome did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when putting their European competition bid on the right path. There was a glaring difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team side that has now lost a team record seven European games consecutively.

Positively, the home side at least fought hard during a second half when surrender felt the more likely option. However, the game was settled as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the tournament, which should constitute an embarrassment to a club of such stature. Roma have eyes again on making proper impact. One slight disappointment in this match was in not producing a scoreline that truly reflected men against boys.

Amazingly, this represented only Roma’s second European joust with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in 1961. The previous one, against Dundee United over two decades later, became marred (to put it politely) by the corruption of a match official. Back then, teams from Scotland could vie with the top sides in Europe. The current campaign has seen the co-efficient drop to a point that will soon have major ramifications.

The new manager’s main quality so far as the Rangers support are concerned is that he isn’t his predecessor. The latter’s ghastly tenure as the head coach lasted just over four months in the initial phase of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a tiny sample size. The dugouts witnessed a generation game; Röhl is 36, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the teams took the field. The home team’s glaring lack of height against the Italians looked ominous. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante easily redirected a corner at the front post. At the back, the Argentine winger burst forward to knock Roma in front. A Roma team minus the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge despite decent performances in the tournament, were delighted with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side could have equalised instantly. Instead, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the Roma defence. The player’s £8m signing from the Toffees has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an productive striker but seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma controlled first-half possession thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through their captain, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will lament the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous finish. Ibrox, typically a boisterous venue on European nights, had been quietened nine minutes before the break. The discontent which met the interval were subdued; Rangers were clearly in the process of being overwhelmed.

After the break started against a unusual backdrop. Those Rangers fans directed their focus once again towards the top executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously sinister in message, depicted the pair with targets on their faces. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about the situation. Ultimately, the chairman enjoyed an low-profile career as a successful businessman in the US before fronting a takeover of Rangers. Fans have not turned on Cavenagh so far but there is a mutinous mood around the club. It is one which is easy to understand; The team’s leadership is wholly unimpressive.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on goal on the hour mark and hit the side netting. That moment sparked the home side’s best period of the game, in which their replacement the young midfielder fired just wide. Yet, however, hard to determine Roma’s remaining offensive intent until the full-back 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 clear-cut chances were concerned. 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 ponder how on earth Rangers, finalists in this competition in 2022 and strong enough of the last eight a last year, arrived at the point of making up the numbers.