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There was admirable efficiency in the way Roma handled this trip to Glasgow. Without much drama. Roma from Rome did, however, meet favourable opposition when placing their European competition bid back on track. There was a glaring difference in class between Roma and a Rangers squad that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven continental matches consecutively.

Positively, the home side at least fought hard during a second half when capitulation felt the more likely outcome. However, the game was settled as a competition by then. The Scottish club remain anchored at the foot of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a club of such stature. Roma have eyes once more on making proper impact. Their only regret here was in not producing a result appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second-ever European joust with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibs in 1961. Their last such match, against Dundee United 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the bribing of a referee. In those days, Scottish clubs could compete with the top sides in Europe. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a point that will soon have huge consequences.

Danny Röhl’s main quality so far as the fanbase are concerned is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s dismal spell as the head coach continued for just over four months in the early part of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a tiny sample size. The technical areas witnessed a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is 36, his opposite number the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

Another element was much more noticeable as the teams lined up. The home team’s glaring lack of height against the visitors looked ominous. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder easily redirected a set-piece at the near post. At the back, Matías Soulé burst forward to fire his team in front. The visitors without the unavailable Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been criticised for bluntness even with decent performances in this campaign, were delighted with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side should have equalised instantly. Instead, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s £8m signing from the Toffees has piled pressure on the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physique to be an productive striker but appears unwilling or unable to use them.

The Italian outfit controlled first-half possession from that point. They doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net came after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will bemoan the fact the midfielder was left in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous finish. The stadium, usually a raucous place on continental evenings, had been quietened with time still remaining until halftime. The discontent which greeted the half-time whistle were subdued; Rangers were clearly in the midst of being overwhelmed.

The second period began against a curious atmosphere. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions for the latest time towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously sinister in message, showed the pair with targets on their faces. One wonders what the club owner makes of the situation. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh had an anonymous career as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a takeover of Rangers. Fans have not targeted Cavenagh so far but there is a mutinous feeling in the air. This is unsurprising; Rangers’ leadership is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on the keeper on the hour mark and hit the outside of the goal. This actually triggered the home side’s best period of the game, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. It was, nonetheless, difficult to determine the visitors’ remaining offensive intent until Zeki Celik was presented with a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably hit up and onto the bottom of the bar.

That was it as far as meaningful opportunity were concerned. The raft of substitutions from both teams resulted in this fixture closed more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than serious contest. This of course suited the Italians fine. There was cause to consider how exactly the Glasgow club, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and worthy of the last eight a season ago, reached the stage of just participating.