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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness in the way the Italian side handled this journey to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Italy’s capital did, however, face manageable rivals when putting their European competition bid back on track. Observers noted a glaring difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers squad that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven continental matches in a row.

To their credit, the home side at least fought hard during a later period when surrender felt the probable outcome. However, the game was settled as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the tournament, which should represent an disgrace to a team of such stature. Roma have ambitions once more on making proper impact. One slight disappointment here was in not producing a result that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second-ever continental encounter with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup business with Hibs in 1961. Their last such match, against the Terrors 23 years later, became marred (to put it politely) by the bribing of a referee. Back then, teams from Scotland could vie with the best in the continent. The current campaign has seen the co-efficient drop to a point that will soon have huge ramifications.

The new manager’s main quality up to now as the Rangers support are see it is that he isn’t Russell Martin. Martin’s ghastly spell as the manager continued for 123 days in the initial phase of this season. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The dugouts witnessed a generation game; the Rangers boss is 36, his opposite number the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

Another element was far more striking as the teams took the field. The home team’s obvious short stature against the Italians looked worrying. This point was proven within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder comfortably redirected a set-piece at the near post. Following up, the Argentine winger burst forward to knock his team in front. The visitors minus the unavailable Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with decent performances in this campaign, were pleased with their quick lead.

Rangers could have equalised immediately. Instead, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s £8m signing from the Toffees has piled pressure on the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an effective centre forward but seems unwilling or unable to use them.

Roma controlled opening period possession from that point. Roma extended their advantage through their captain, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will lament the fact the midfielder stood in blissful isolation but it was a superb strike. Ibrox, typically a raucous place on European nights, had been quietened with time still remaining until halftime. Even the boos which met the interval were subdued; the home team were simply in the process of being overwhelmed.

After the break started against a unusual backdrop. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions once again towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, the director. Two banners, clearly menacing in message, showed the pair with bullseyes on their faces. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about all this. Ultimately, the chairman had an low-profile life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before leading a takeover of this club. Fans have not targeted Cavenagh yet but there is a rebellious feeling in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; The team’s leadership is completely unimpressive.

Right on cue, the striker was played in on goal on the 60-minute mark and hit the outside of the goal. That moment sparked the home side’s finest spell of the match, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. Yet, nonetheless, difficult to determine Roma’s continued offensive intent until the full-back was presented with a chance all of a yard out which he inexplicably hit up and onto the bottom of the bar.

That was it as far as clear-cut opportunity were concerned. The raft of substitutions from each side meant this fixture ended more in the style of a summer exhibition than serious contest. That scenario benefited Roma perfectly. It prompted reflection to consider how on earth the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in recently and strong enough of the quarter-finals a season ago, arrived at the point of just participating.