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There was impressive effectiveness about the way Roma handled this trip to Scotland. Without much drama. Roma from Rome did, however, face manageable rivals when placing their Europa League bid back on track. There was a obvious difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team squad that has now lost a team record seven continental matches consecutively.

To their credit, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a second half when capitulation felt the probable outcome. Yet, the game was settled as a competition at that stage. The Scottish club remain rooted to the foot of the tournament, which should constitute an embarrassment to a club of this standing. Roma have eyes once more on achieving significant success. Their only regret in this match was in not producing a result that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, 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. The previous one, against Dundee United over two decades later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a referee. In those days, Scottish clubs could compete with the best in the continent. The current campaign has seen the co-efficient drop to a level that will soon have major ramifications.

The new manager’s main quality so far as the Rangers support are concerned is that he is not his predecessor. The latter’s ghastly spell as the head coach continued for just over four months in the early part of this season. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The technical areas saw a generation game; Röhl is 36, his counterpart the Roma manager is 67.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides lined up. Rangers’ glaring lack of height against the Italians looked worrying. That concern was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder easily flicked on a corner at the front post. Following up, Matías Soulé 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 even with reasonable performances in this campaign, were pleased with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side could have levelled matters instantly. Rather, the forward sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the Roma defence. The player’s eight-million-pound signing from Everton has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has 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 extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will lament the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, usually a raucous venue on European nights, had been quietened with time still remaining before the break. The discontent which met the interval were timid; the home team were simply in the process of being outclassed.

The second period started against a curious atmosphere. Supporters turned their attentions once again towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, the director. Two banners, clearly menacing in tone, showed the pair with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about the situation. Ultimately, the chairman enjoyed an anonymous career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before fronting a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not turned on Cavenagh so far but there is a rebellious feeling around the club. It is one which is unsurprising; Rangers’ management is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the hour mark and found only the side netting. That moment sparked the home side’s best period of the match, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. Yet, however, difficult to determine Roma’s continued offensive intent until Zeki Celik was presented with a opportunity from close range which he somehow hit up and on to the bottom of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful opportunity were involved. The raft of substitutions from both teams resulted in this game ended more in the style of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. That scenario benefited the Italians fine. It prompted reflection to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in recently and worthy of the last eight a season ago, reached the stage of making up the numbers.