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Roma displayed admirable efficiency about the way the Italian side handled this journey to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. The team from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when putting their European competition bid on the right path. There was a obvious difference in class between Roma and a the Scottish team side that has now lost a team record seven European games in a row.

Positively, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a second half when surrender felt the more likely outcome. Yet, the game was decided as a competition by then. The Scottish club remain anchored at the foot of the Europa League, which should constitute an embarrassment to a club of this standing. The Giallorossi have eyes again on making proper impact. One slight disappointment in this match was in not delivering a result that truly reflected men against boys.

Surprisingly, this marked only Roma’s second European joust with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in 1961. Their last such match, against Dundee United over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a match official. Back then, teams from Scotland 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.

The new manager’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he is not his predecessor. The latter’s dismal tenure as the manager continued for just over four months in the early part of the campaign. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a tiny sample size. The dugouts witnessed a clash of generations; Röhl is 36, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

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

The Ibrox side should have levelled matters immediately. Instead, the forward sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. The player’s £8m signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physique to be an productive striker but seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated first-half possession thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through their captain, whose bent effort into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will bemoan the fact the midfielder was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. The stadium, typically a boisterous place on continental evenings, had been silenced with time still remaining until halftime. Even the boos which greeted the interval were timid; Rangers were simply in the process of being overwhelmed.

After the break began against a unusual atmosphere. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the top executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously sinister in message, depicted the pair with targets on their faces. One wonders what the club owner makes of the situation. After all, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an low-profile career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before fronting a takeover of Rangers. Fans have not turned on the owner yet but there is a rebellious feeling around the club. It is one which is easy to understand; The team’s management is wholly unimpressive.

As if scripted, the striker was played in on goal on the 60-minute mark and hit the outside of the goal. That moment sparked Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their replacement the young midfielder fired just wide. Yet, nonetheless, difficult to determine the visitors’ continued attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was given a chance all of a yard out which he inexplicably lifted and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were involved. The series of changes from both teams meant this game ended more in the style of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. This of course suited the Italians perfectly. It prompted reflection to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, runners-up in this tournament in 2022 and strong enough of the last eight a last year, arrived at the stage of just participating.