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There was impressive effectiveness about the way the Italian side handled this journey to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. The team from Italy’s capital did, however, face manageable rivals when putting their Europa League bid back on track. There was a glaring difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers side that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven continental matches in a row.

Positively, the home side at least fought hard during a later period when capitulation felt the probable option. However, the game was settled as a competition by then. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a club of this standing. The Giallorossi have eyes once more on making proper impact. One slight disappointment here was in not producing a scoreline appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second continental encounter with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibs in 1961. The previous one, against the Terrors over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the corruption of a match official. In those days, Scottish clubs could vie with the top sides in the continent. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will soon have major ramifications.

The new manager’s main quality up to now as the Rangers support are concerned is that he is not his predecessor. Martin’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 displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The technical areas saw a generation game; the Rangers boss is 36, his opposite number the Roma manager is 67.

Another element was much more noticeable as the teams lined up. The home team’s glaring lack of height against the visitors looked worrying. This point was proven within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder easily flicked on a set-piece at the near post. At the back, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to knock his team ahead. A Roma team without the unavailable their young striker and their star attacker, who have been questioned for bluntness even with decent performances in the tournament, were delighted with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side could have levelled matters instantly. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. The player’s £8m purchase from the Toffees 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 use them.

The Italian outfit dominated first-half the ball thereafter. Roma doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, 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 was left in complete freedom but it was a superb finish. The stadium, typically a raucous venue on European nights, had been quietened nine minutes before the break. Even the boos which met the half-time whistle were subdued; the home team were simply in the process of being overwhelmed.

After the break started against a unusual atmosphere. Supporters directed their focus for the latest time towards the top executive, the CEO, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, clearly menacing in tone, showed the pair with bullseyes on their images. One wonders what the club owner thinks about all this. After all, the chairman enjoyed an low-profile career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before fronting a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not turned on the owner yet but there is a rebellious mood in the air. This is unsurprising; Rangers’ management is completely unconvincing.

Right on cue, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the hour mark and hit the outside of the goal. That moment sparked Rangers’ finest spell of the match, in which their replacement the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. It was, nonetheless, difficult to determine the visitors’ continued offensive intent until Zeki Celik was given a opportunity all of a yard out which he inexplicably hit up and on to the underside of the bar.

That was it as far as clear-cut chances were concerned. The raft of substitutions from both teams resulted in this fixture ended more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than serious contest. That scenario benefited the Italians fine. It prompted reflection to consider how exactly Rangers, runners-up in this competition in 2022 and worthy of the quarter-finals a last year, arrived at the point of making up the numbers.