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There was admirable efficiency in the way the Italian side dealt with this journey to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Italy’s capital did, however, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid back on track. There was a obvious difference in class between Roma and a the Scottish team squad 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 second half when surrender felt the more likely option. Yet, the game was decided as a competition by then. Rangers remain rooted to the bottom of the Europa League, which should represent an embarrassment to a club of such stature. Roma have ambitions again on achieving significant success. Their only regret here was in not delivering a result appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second-ever European joust with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup business with Hibs in 1961. The previous one, against Dundee United over two decades later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a match official. In those days, teams from Scotland could compete with the best in the continent. This season has seen the co-efficient drop to a level that will shortly have huge consequences.

The new manager’s main quality so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he is not his predecessor. The latter’s dismal tenure as the head coach continued for just over four months in the early part of this season. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a tiny sample size. The technical areas saw a clash of generations; Röhl is 36, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

A further factor was far more striking as the teams lined up. The home team’s glaring short stature against the Italians looked worrying. This point was proven within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder easily flicked on a set-piece at the front post. Following up, the Argentine winger burst forward to fire his team in front. A Roma team without the unavailable their young striker and their star attacker, who have been questioned for bluntness despite decent results in the tournament, were delighted with their early advantage.

Rangers should have equalised instantly. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. The player’s eight-million-pound purchase from the Toffees has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an productive centre forward but seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit controlled first-half possession thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through their captain, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will lament the fact Pellegrini stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous strike. Ibrox, usually a raucous venue on continental evenings, had been silenced with time still remaining until halftime. Even the boos which greeted the half-time whistle were timid; Rangers were simply in the process of being outclassed.

The second period began against a unusual backdrop. Those Rangers fans directed their focus once again towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously menacing in message, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their faces. One wonders what the club owner makes of the situation. Ultimately, the chairman had an low-profile life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before leading a takeover of this club. Fans have not turned on Cavenagh yet but there is a rebellious feeling around the club. It is one which is easy to understand; The team’s management is completely unimpressive.

Right on cue, the striker was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and hit the side netting. That moment sparked Rangers’ finest spell of the game, in which their replacement the young midfielder fired just wide. It was, nonetheless, difficult to determine the visitors’ continued attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was presented with a chance all of a yard out which he somehow lifted and onto the bottom of the bar.

That was it as far as meaningful chances were concerned. The series of changes from each side resulted in this game ended more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. This of course suited the Italians perfectly. It prompted reflection to consider how on earth Rangers, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and strong enough of the last eight a season ago, arrived at the point of making up the numbers.