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There was impressive effectiveness about the way Roma dealt with this trip to Scotland. Without much drama. The team from Italy’s capital did, however, meet favourable opposition when putting their Europa League bid on the right path. Observers noted a glaring difference in class between Roma and a Rangers squad that has now lost a club record seven European games in a row.

Positively, the home side at least fought hard during a second half when surrender felt the more likely option. However, the match was settled as a competition by then. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the Europa League, which should constitute an embarrassment to a club of such stature. The Giallorossi have eyes again on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment in this match was in not delivering a result appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second continental encounter with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in 1961. Their last such match, 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 best in Europe. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a level that will shortly have major consequences.

The new manager’s key attribute up to now as the Rangers support are concerned is that he isn’t his predecessor. The latter’s dismal spell as the manager lasted just over four months in the early part of this season. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The dugouts witnessed a clash of generations; Röhl is 36, his counterpart the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

Another element was far more striking as the teams took the field. The home team’s glaring short stature against the Italians looked worrying. This point was proven within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante easily redirected a set-piece at the near post. At the back, the Argentine winger burst forward to knock his team in front. A Roma team minus the unavailable their young striker and their star attacker, who have been criticised for bluntness despite reasonable results in this campaign, were delighted with their quick lead.

Rangers should have equalised immediately. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s £8m purchase from the Toffees has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an effective centre forward but seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated opening period the ball from that point. Roma doubled their lead through their captain, whose bent effort into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will bemoan the fact Pellegrini stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous finish. The stadium, usually a boisterous place on European nights, had been silenced with time still remaining until halftime. Even the boos which met the half-time whistle were timid; the home team were clearly in the process of being overwhelmed.

The second period started against a unusual backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, obviously menacing in tone, depicted the pair with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman thinks about all this. After all, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile career as a successful businessman in the US before fronting a takeover of Rangers. Fans have not turned on Cavenagh so far but there is a rebellious mood in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; The team’s management is wholly unimpressive.

Right on cue, the striker was played in on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and hit the outside of the goal. This actually triggered the home side’s finest spell of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. It was, nonetheless, hard to determine Roma’s continued attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was presented with a chance all of a yard out which he somehow hit up and on to the bottom of the bar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were involved. The raft of changes from both teams meant this fixture ended more in the style of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. This of course suited the Italians fine. There was cause to ponder how on earth Rangers, runners-up in this tournament in recently and strong enough of the last eight a last year, reached the point of just participating.