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Roma displayed admirable efficiency about the way the Italian side dealt with this journey to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Rome did, however, face manageable rivals when placing their Europa League bid on the right path. Observers noted a obvious difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers squad that has now lost a team record seven European games in a row.

To their credit, the home side at least fought hard during a second half when surrender felt the more likely option. Yet, the game was settled as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain rooted to the bottom of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a team of this standing. The Giallorossi have eyes once more 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 marked only Roma’s second-ever European joust with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in the early 60s. The previous one, against the Terrors over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the corruption of a match official. Back then, Scottish clubs could vie with the top sides in the continent. The current campaign has seen the co-efficient drop to a level that will soon have huge ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s main quality so far as the fanbase are concerned is that he isn’t his predecessor. The latter’s ghastly tenure as the head coach lasted 123 days in the initial phase of the campaign. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a tiny sample size. The technical areas saw a generation game; Röhl is thirty-six, his opposite number the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides lined up. Rangers’ glaring lack of height against the visitors looked ominous. This point was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante easily flicked on a set-piece at the near post. At the back, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to fire Roma ahead. The visitors without the injured their young striker and their star attacker, who have been questioned for bluntness even with reasonable results in the tournament, were pleased with their early advantage.

Rangers could have equalised instantly. Rather, the forward screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound purchase from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physical attributes to be an productive centre forward but appears reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated opening period possession from that point. Roma doubled their lead through their captain, whose curling shot 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 blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. Ibrox, typically a boisterous place on continental evenings, had been silenced with time still remaining until halftime. Even the boos which met the interval were subdued; Rangers were simply in the midst of being outclassed.

After the break started against a curious backdrop. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions once again towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously menacing in message, showed the duo with targets on their faces. One wonders what the club owner thinks about the situation. After all, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an low-profile life as a successful businessman in the US before fronting a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not turned on Cavenagh so far but there is a rebellious feeling in the air. This is unsurprising; Rangers’ management is wholly unimpressive.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on goal on the 60-minute mark and hit the outside of the goal. This actually triggered Rangers’ best period 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 presented with a chance all of a yard out which he inexplicably hit up and on to the bottom of the crossbar.

That was it as far as clear-cut opportunity were involved. The series of substitutions from each side resulted in this game ended more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. That scenario benefited the Italians fine. There was cause to consider how on earth the Glasgow club, finalists in this competition in recently and worthy of the last eight a last year, reached the point of making up the numbers.