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There was impressive effectiveness in the way Roma dealt with this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. Roma from Rome did, however, face manageable rivals when putting their Europa League bid on the right path. There was a glaring gulf in quality between Roma and a Rangers side that has now lost a team record seven European games in a row.

Positively, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a later period when surrender felt the more likely outcome. However, the game was decided as a competition by then. Rangers remain rooted to the foot of the tournament, which should constitute an disgrace to a club of such stature. The Giallorossi have eyes again on making proper impact. One slight disappointment here was in not producing a result that truly reflected men against boys.

Amazingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second-ever continental encounter with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in the early 60s. The previous one, against the Terrors over two decades later, became marred (to put it politely) by the bribing of a referee. In those days, Scottish clubs could compete with the top sides in Europe. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a level that will soon have major consequences.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute so far as the fanbase are see it is that he is not Russell Martin. The latter’s ghastly spell as the head coach lasted 123 days in the early part of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The technical areas saw a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his counterpart the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

A further factor was far more striking as the sides took the field. The home team’s obvious short stature against the Italians looked ominous. That concern was confirmed within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder easily flicked on a corner at the front post. Following up, Matías Soulé burst forward to fire Roma ahead. A Roma team without the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge despite reasonable results in this campaign, were pleased with their early advantage.

Rangers could have equalised instantly. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. The player’s £8m purchase from Everton has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an effective centre forward but seems reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

Roma controlled opening period the ball thereafter. They doubled their lead through their captain, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. Ibrox, typically a boisterous venue on European nights, had been quietened with time still remaining until halftime. The discontent which greeted the half-time whistle were timid; Rangers were simply in the process of being overwhelmed.

After the break began against a curious backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions once again towards the top executive, the CEO, and sporting director, the director. A pair of displays, clearly menacing in message, depicted the pair with targets on their faces. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman makes of all this. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an low-profile life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before fronting a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not targeted Cavenagh yet but there is a mutinous mood around the club. It is one which is unsurprising; The team’s leadership is wholly unimpressive.

Right on cue, the striker was played in on goal on the 60-minute mark and found only 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, hard to determine Roma’s continued attacking motivation until the full-back was presented with a chance from close range which he somehow lifted and onto the underside of the bar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were concerned. The raft of changes from each side meant this fixture closed more in the style of a summer exhibition than competitive match. This of course suited Roma fine. There was cause to ponder how on earth Rangers, runners-up in this tournament in 2022 and worthy of the quarter-finals a season ago, reached the point of making up the numbers.