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Roma displayed admirable efficiency in the way Roma handled this trip to Glasgow. Without much drama. Roma from Italy’s capital did, however, face manageable rivals when placing their European competition bid on the right path. There was a obvious difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team squad that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven continental matches consecutively.

Positively, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a second half when capitulation felt the probable outcome. However, the game was settled as a competition by then. Rangers remain rooted to the foot of the Europa League, which should constitute an disgrace to a team of such stature. Roma have ambitions once more on making proper impact. Their only regret in this match was in not producing a result appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second continental encounter with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in 1961. Their last such match, against the Terrors 23 years later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a referee. Back then, teams from Scotland could vie with the top sides in the continent. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a point that will shortly have major consequences.

The new manager’s key attribute up to now as the fanbase are see it is that he isn’t his predecessor. The latter’s dismal tenure as the manager continued for 123 days in the initial phase of the campaign. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a limited timeframe. The dugouts witnessed a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his opposite number the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

Another element was far more striking as the sides took the field. Rangers’ obvious short stature against the Italians looked ominous. That concern was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder easily redirected a corner at the front post. At the back, the Argentine winger burst forward to fire Roma in front. The visitors minus the unavailable Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been criticised for bluntness despite decent results in the tournament, were pleased with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side should have equalised immediately. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. The player’s eight-million-pound signing from Everton has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an productive striker but seems reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated first-half the ball thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net came after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will lament the fact Pellegrini stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, typically a raucous place on European nights, had been quietened with time still remaining until halftime. Even the boos which met the half-time whistle were subdued; Rangers were clearly in the midst of being outclassed.

The second period started against a curious backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, the director. Two banners, obviously sinister in tone, depicted the pair with targets on their images. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman makes of the situation. After all, the chairman enjoyed an anonymous career as a successful businessman in the US before leading a acquisition of this club. Paying punters have not targeted the owner yet but there is a rebellious mood in the air. It is one which is unsurprising; Rangers’ management is wholly unimpressive.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on the keeper 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 the young midfielder fired just wide. It was, however, difficult to gauge Roma’s continued attacking motivation until the full-back was presented with a chance from close range which he somehow lifted and on to the bottom of the bar.

That was it as far as clear-cut chances were concerned. The series of substitutions from both teams meant this fixture ended more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than serious contest. This of course suited Roma perfectly. It prompted reflection to consider how exactly Rangers, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and worthy of the quarter-finals a season ago, arrived at the stage of just participating.