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There was impressive effectiveness in the way Roma dealt with this journey to Glasgow. Without much drama. Roma from Rome did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when placing their European competition bid back on track. Observers noted a glaring difference in class between Roma and a the Scottish team squad that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven European games consecutively.

Positively, the home side at least fought hard during a later period when surrender felt the probable option. Yet, the match was settled as a competition at that stage. The Scottish club remain rooted to the foot of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a club of such stature. Roma have eyes again on making proper impact. One slight disappointment here was in not delivering a scoreline that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second European joust with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in 1961. The previous one, against Dundee United over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the bribing of a match official. In those days, teams from Scotland could compete with the best in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will soon have huge consequences.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute up to now as the fanbase are see it is that he isn’t his predecessor. The latter’s dismal tenure as the manager lasted 123 days in the initial phase of the campaign. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a clash of generations; Röhl is 36, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

A further factor was far more striking as the teams lined up. Rangers’ obvious lack of height against the visitors looked ominous. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder easily redirected a corner at the front post. Following up, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to knock his team in front. A Roma team without the unavailable Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for bluntness even with reasonable results in the tournament, were delighted with their quick lead.

Rangers could have levelled matters immediately. Rather, the forward sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s £8m purchase from the Toffees has piled pressure on the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an effective striker but seems reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit controlled opening period possession thereafter. Roma doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net came after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will lament the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a superb strike. The stadium, usually a boisterous place on continental evenings, had been quietened with time still remaining before the break. Even the boos which greeted the half-time whistle were subdued; Rangers were simply in the midst of being outclassed.

The second period began against a unusual backdrop. Supporters directed their focus for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and sporting director, the director. A pair of displays, clearly sinister in message, depicted the duo with targets on their images. One wonders what the Rangers chairman makes of all this. After all, the chairman enjoyed an low-profile career as a successful businessman in the US before fronting a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not targeted Cavenagh so far but there is a rebellious mood around the club. It is one which is unsurprising; Rangers’ management is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and found only the outside of the goal. This actually triggered the home side’s best period of the match, in which their substitute the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. It was, nonetheless, difficult to gauge Roma’s continued offensive intent until the full-back was presented with a opportunity all of a yard out which he inexplicably hit up and onto the underside of the bar.

That was it as far as clear-cut chances were concerned. The raft of changes from each side meant this fixture closed more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. That scenario benefited Roma perfectly. It prompted reflection to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and strong enough of the quarter-finals a season ago, arrived at the point of just participating.