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There was impressive effectiveness in the way the Italian side dealt with this trip to Scotland. Without much drama. Roma from Italy’s capital did, however, meet favourable opposition when placing their European competition bid back on track. There was a obvious difference in class between Roma and a the Scottish team squad that has now lost a team record seven continental matches in a row.

To their credit, Rangers at least fought hard during a second half when capitulation felt the probable option. Yet, the game was decided as a contest at that stage. The Scottish club remain rooted to the foot of the tournament, which should constitute an embarrassment to a team of this standing. The Giallorossi have ambitions again on achieving significant success. Their only regret in this match was in not delivering a result that truly reflected men against boys.

Amazingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second-ever European joust with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in the early 60s. Their last such match, against the Terrors 23 years later, became marred (to put it politely) by the corruption of a referee. In those days, Scottish clubs could vie with the top sides in the continent. This season has seen the co-efficient plunge to a point that will soon have huge ramifications.

The new manager’s key attribute so far as the fanbase are see it is that he isn’t Russell Martin. Martin’s ghastly spell as the manager lasted just over four months in the initial phase of the campaign. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential though within a tiny sample size. The dugouts witnessed a generation game; Röhl is 36, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

Another element was much more noticeable as the teams took the field. The home team’s obvious short stature against the visitors looked worrying. That concern was confirmed within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder easily flicked on a set-piece at the near post. Following up, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to knock Roma ahead. The visitors minus the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge even with decent performances in the tournament, were pleased with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side could have equalised instantly. Rather, the forward sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the Roma defence. The player’s eight-million-pound purchase from Everton has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physique to be an productive striker but seems reluctant or incapable to use them.

The Italian outfit dominated first-half possession thereafter. Roma doubled their lead through their captain, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will lament the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a superb finish. Ibrox, usually a boisterous venue on continental evenings, had been silenced with time still remaining before the break. The discontent which met the interval were timid; the home team were clearly in the midst of being overwhelmed.

After the break started against a unusual backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the top executive, the CEO, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, obviously menacing in message, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their faces. One wonders what the club owner makes of all this. After all, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an anonymous life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before leading a acquisition of Rangers. Paying punters have not targeted the owner yet but there is a rebellious mood in the air. It is one which is unsurprising; The team’s leadership is wholly unconvincing.

As if scripted, the striker was played in on goal on the 60-minute mark and hit the outside of the goal. This actually triggered Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their replacement the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. It was, however, difficult to gauge Roma’s remaining offensive intent until Zeki Celik was presented with a opportunity all of a yard out which he somehow lifted and onto the bottom of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were involved. The raft of substitutions from each side resulted in this fixture ended more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. This of course suited the Italians perfectly. There was cause to ponder how on earth the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in recently and worthy of the last eight a season ago, arrived at the point of just participating.