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Roma displayed admirable efficiency about the way the Italian side dealt with this trip to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. The team from Rome did, however, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid back on track. There was a glaring difference in class between Roma and a Rangers side that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven continental matches in a row.

To their credit, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a later period when surrender felt the more likely option. However, the match was decided as a contest at that stage. The Scottish club remain anchored at the foot of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a club of this standing. Roma have ambitions again on making proper impact. One slight disappointment in this match was in not delivering a result that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this marked only Roma’s second-ever continental encounter with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in the early 60s. Their last such match, against the Terrors over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a referee. Back then, Scottish clubs could vie with the best in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a level that will shortly have major consequences.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute up to now as the fanbase are concerned is that he isn’t Russell Martin. Martin’s dismal tenure as the manager continued for 123 days in the initial phase of this season. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a tiny sample size. The technical areas saw a clash of generations; Röhl is thirty-six, his opposite number the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the teams lined up. The home team’s glaring short stature against the visitors looked ominous. This point was proven within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder easily flicked on a corner at the near post. At the back, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to fire Roma in front. The visitors without the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for bluntness despite decent performances in this campaign, were delighted with their early advantage.

Rangers could have levelled matters immediately. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. The player’s £8m signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physique to be an effective striker but appears unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma controlled opening period possession thereafter. They extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the far post of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will bemoan the fact Pellegrini stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous finish. Ibrox, usually a boisterous venue on European nights, had been quietened with time still remaining before the break. The discontent which met the interval were timid; the home team were clearly in the process of being overwhelmed.

The second period began against a curious backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions once again towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. A pair of displays, clearly sinister in message, showed the pair with bullseyes on their faces. One wonders what the club owner makes of the situation. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh had an anonymous life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before leading a acquisition of this club. Paying punters have not turned on Cavenagh yet but there is a rebellious mood in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; The team’s leadership is completely unconvincing.

As if scripted, the striker was played in on goal on the hour mark and hit the outside of the goal. This actually triggered the home side’s finest spell of the game, in which their replacement the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. Yet, nonetheless, difficult to determine the visitors’ continued attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was given a opportunity from close range which he somehow lifted and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were involved. The series of substitutions from each side meant this game ended more in the style of a summer exhibition than competitive match. That scenario benefited the Italians fine. It prompted reflection to consider how on earth Rangers, runners-up in this tournament in recently and strong enough of the quarter-finals a season ago, arrived at the point of making up the numbers.