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There was impressive effectiveness in the way Roma handled this journey to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Rome did, however, meet favourable opposition when placing their European competition bid on the right path. There was a glaring difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers side that has now lost a team record seven continental matches in a row.

Positively, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a second half when surrender felt the more likely option. Yet, the game was settled as a competition by then. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the tournament, which should constitute an embarrassment to a club of such stature. Roma have ambitions again on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment here was in not delivering a result appropriately depicting men against boys.

Amazingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second-ever continental encounter with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup business with Hibs in 1961. Their last such match, against the Terrors 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the bribing of a referee. In those days, teams from Scotland could vie 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 main quality so far as the Rangers support are concerned is that he is not Russell Martin. The latter’s ghastly spell as the manager lasted just over four months in the initial phase of the campaign. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a tiny sample size. The dugouts witnessed a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his counterpart the Roma manager is 67.

Another element was far more striking as the sides lined up. The home team’s obvious lack of height against the visitors looked ominous. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante comfortably redirected a set-piece at the front post. At the back, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to knock Roma in front. A Roma team minus the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for bluntness despite reasonable performances in the tournament, were pleased with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side should have equalised instantly. Instead, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. The player’s £8m purchase from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an productive striker but appears unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit dominated first-half the ball from that point. Roma extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net came after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will lament the fact Pellegrini stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous strike. Ibrox, typically a boisterous place on European nights, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were timid; the home team were clearly in the midst of being outclassed.

After the break began against a unusual backdrop. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously sinister in tone, showed the duo with targets on their images. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman thinks about the situation. After all, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an low-profile life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before fronting a acquisition of Rangers. Fans have not targeted the owner yet but there is a mutinous mood in the air. It is one which is unsurprising; The team’s management is completely unimpressive.

As if scripted, Chermiti was played in on goal on the 60-minute mark and hit the outside of the goal. This actually triggered the home side’s best period of the match, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. Yet, however, difficult to gauge Roma’s continued attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was given a opportunity from close range which he somehow hit up and onto the bottom of the bar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful chances were involved. The series of changes from both teams resulted in this game ended more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. This of course suited the Italians perfectly. It prompted reflection to consider how on earth Rangers, runners-up in this competition in 2022 and strong enough of the last eight a season ago, reached the stage of making up the numbers.