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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness in the way Roma dealt with this trip to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when placing their European competition bid on the right path. There was a obvious gulf in quality between Roma 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 capitulation felt the probable outcome. However, the game was settled as a contest at that stage. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the tournament, which should constitute an embarrassment to a team of such stature. Roma have eyes once more on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment in this match was in not producing a scoreline appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second continental encounter with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in 1961. The previous one, against Dundee United 23 years later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a match official. In those days, Scottish clubs could vie with the best in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a point that will soon have huge ramifications.

The new manager’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are concerned is that he is not Russell Martin. Martin’s dismal tenure as the head coach continued for 123 days in the initial phase of the campaign. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential though within a tiny sample size. The dugouts witnessed a clash of generations; Röhl is thirty-six, 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 lack of height against the Italians looked ominous. This point was proven within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the front post. At the back, the Argentine winger burst forward to knock his team in front. The visitors minus the unavailable Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with decent performances in this campaign, were pleased with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side should have levelled matters instantly. Instead, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the Roma defence. The player’s eight-million-pound purchase from Everton has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physical attributes to be an productive centre forward but seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma controlled opening period the ball from that point. They extended their advantage through their captain, whose bent effort into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, typically a raucous place on continental evenings, had been quietened with time still remaining 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 atmosphere. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions once again towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. A pair of displays, clearly menacing in tone, showed the duo with targets on their faces. One wonders what the club owner makes of all this. Ultimately, the chairman enjoyed an low-profile life as a successful businessman in the United States before leading a takeover of Rangers. Paying punters have not targeted Cavenagh so far but there is a mutinous mood in the air. This is unsurprising; The team’s management is completely unconvincing.

Right on cue, the striker was played in on the keeper on the hour mark and hit the outside of the goal. That moment sparked Rangers’ finest spell of the game, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. Yet, nonetheless, hard to determine Roma’s continued offensive intent until Zeki Celik was presented with a chance from close range which he inexplicably lifted and onto the bottom of the bar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful chances were involved. The series of substitutions from both teams resulted in this game closed more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. This of course suited the Italians perfectly. It prompted reflection to consider how on earth the Glasgow club, runners-up in this tournament in 2022 and strong enough of the quarter-finals a last year, reached the stage of just participating.