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Roma displayed admirable efficiency in the way Roma dealt with this journey to Glasgow. Without much drama. The team from Rome did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid back on track. Observers noted a obvious gulf in quality between Roma and a Rangers side that has now lost a team record seven continental matches in a row.

Positively, Rangers at least fought hard during a second half when surrender felt the more likely outcome. However, the game was settled as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain rooted to the foot of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a team of such stature. The Giallorossi have eyes again on achieving significant success. Their only regret here was in not producing a scoreline appropriately depicting men against boys.

Surprisingly, this represented only Roma’s second continental encounter with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup business with Hibs in 1961. The previous one, against the Terrors over two decades later, became marred (to put it politely) by the bribing of a match official. Back then, Scottish clubs could vie with the top sides in Europe. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a point that will soon have huge ramifications.

The new manager’s main quality up to now as the Rangers support are concerned is that he is not his predecessor. The latter’s ghastly tenure as the head coach lasted just over four months in the early part of the campaign. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise though within a tiny sample size. The technical areas witnessed a generation game; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his opposite number the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the sides lined up. Rangers’ obvious short stature against the visitors looked worrying. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante easily redirected a corner at the front post. Following up, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to knock Roma ahead. A Roma team without the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge even with decent performances in this campaign, were delighted with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side should have equalised immediately. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound purchase from Everton has piled pressure on the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physique to be an productive centre forward but appears reluctant or incapable to use them.

The Italian outfit dominated first-half possession thereafter. They doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will lament the fact Pellegrini was left in complete freedom but it was a superb strike. The stadium, typically a raucous place on continental evenings, had been silenced nine minutes until halftime. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were timid; the home team were simply in the process of being outclassed.

The second period started against a curious backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions once again towards the top executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, the director. A pair of displays, obviously menacing in tone, showed the pair with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the club owner makes of the situation. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile career as a successful businessman in the US before leading a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not turned on the owner yet but there is a rebellious feeling in the air. It is one which is unsurprising; 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. 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, however, difficult to gauge the visitors’ continued offensive intent until Zeki Celik was presented with a chance from close range which he inexplicably hit up and onto the bottom of the crossbar.

That was it as far as clear-cut chances were involved. The raft of changes from each side meant this fixture ended more in the style of a summer exhibition than serious contest. That scenario benefited the Italians fine. It prompted reflection to ponder how on earth the Glasgow club, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and strong enough of the last eight a season ago, arrived at the point of just participating.