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There was admirable efficiency about the way the Italian side dealt with this trip to Glasgow. Without much drama. Roma from Rome did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when placing their European competition bid on the right path. Observers noted a glaring gulf in quality between Roma and a Rangers squad that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven continental matches consecutively.

Positively, Rangers at least fought hard during a second half when surrender felt the more likely outcome. However, the match was decided as a contest at that stage. The Scottish club remain anchored at the foot of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a team of such stature. The Giallorossi have ambitions once more on making proper impact. Their only regret in this match was in not producing a scoreline appropriately depicting men against boys.

Surprisingly, this marked only Roma’s second-ever European joust with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibs in 1961. Their last such match, against Dundee United 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a match official. Back then, teams from Scotland could compete with the top sides in Europe. This season has seen the co-efficient drop to a point that will soon have major ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s main quality so far as the fanbase are concerned is that he is not Russell Martin. Martin’s dismal spell as the manager continued for 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 limited timeframe. The technical areas saw a clash of generations; Röhl 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. This point was proven within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante easily flicked on a set-piece at the near post. Following up, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to fire Roma in front. A Roma team without the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness despite decent results in this campaign, were delighted with their quick lead.

Rangers should have levelled matters instantly. Instead, the forward sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the Roma defence. The player’s eight-million-pound purchase from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an productive centre forward but seems reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

Roma controlled opening period the ball from that point. Roma doubled their lead through their captain, whose bent effort into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a superb finish. The stadium, usually a raucous place on European nights, had been silenced with time still remaining until halftime. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were timid; the home team were clearly in the midst of being overwhelmed.

The second period began against a curious atmosphere. Supporters directed their focus for the latest time towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, clearly menacing in tone, depicted the pair with bullseyes on their images. One wonders what the Rangers chairman makes of the situation. After all, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an anonymous life as a successful businessman in the United States before leading a acquisition of Rangers. Paying punters have not turned on Cavenagh yet but there is a mutinous feeling in the air. This is easy to understand; Rangers’ leadership is completely unimpressive.

Right on cue, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and found only the side netting. That moment sparked the home side’s finest spell of the match, in which their replacement the young midfielder fired just wide. It was, however, difficult to determine Roma’s remaining offensive intent until the full-back was given a chance all of a yard out which he inexplicably lifted and onto the bottom of the bar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were involved. The raft of changes from each side resulted in this fixture ended more in the style of a summer exhibition than serious contest. That scenario benefited the Italians perfectly. There was cause to consider how exactly the Glasgow club, finalists in this competition in recently and worthy of the last eight a season ago, reached the stage of just participating.