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There was impressive effectiveness about the way Roma handled this trip to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Rome did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when placing their European competition bid on the right path. Observers noted a obvious gulf in quality between Roma and a the Scottish team squad that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven continental matches consecutively.

To their credit, the home side at least fought hard during a second half when surrender felt the more likely outcome. However, the game was settled as a contest at that stage. The Scottish club remain anchored at the foot of the tournament, which should represent an disgrace to a club of such stature. Roma have ambitions again on making proper impact. Their only regret here was in not producing a result appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this marked only Roma’s second European joust with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in 1961. Their last such match, against the Terrors over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a referee. In those days, Scottish clubs could compete with the best in the continent. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a point that will shortly have major ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s main quality so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s ghastly spell as the head coach continued for just over four months in the early part of this season. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The technical areas saw a generation game; Röhl is 36, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

Another element was far more striking as the teams lined up. Rangers’ glaring short stature against the visitors looked worrying. That concern was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante easily flicked on a set-piece at the front post. Following up, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to knock his team in front. The visitors minus the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for bluntness even with decent performances in this campaign, were pleased with their early advantage.

Rangers should have levelled matters immediately. Instead, the forward sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the Roma defence. Chermiti’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 unwilling or unable to use them.

Roma controlled first-half the ball thereafter. They extended their advantage through their captain, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net came after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will bemoan the fact Pellegrini stood in complete freedom but it was a superb finish. Ibrox, typically a raucous venue on European nights, had been quietened nine minutes before the break. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were subdued; Rangers were simply in the process of being overwhelmed.

The second period started against a curious backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions once again towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and sporting director, the director. A pair of displays, clearly menacing in message, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their images. One wonders what the club owner makes of all this. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before fronting a takeover of Rangers. Paying punters have not targeted the owner so far but there is a mutinous mood in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; Rangers’ management is wholly unconvincing.

As if scripted, the striker was sent through on goal on the hour mark and found only the side netting. That moment sparked Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. It was, however, hard to determine Roma’s remaining attacking motivation until the full-back was presented with a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably hit up and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful chances were involved. The series of changes from both teams meant this fixture closed more in the style of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. That scenario benefited the Italians fine. There was cause to ponder how on earth the Glasgow club, runners-up in this tournament in 2022 and worthy of the quarter-finals a last year, arrived at the stage of making up the numbers.