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There was admirable efficiency about the way the Italian side handled this journey to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. The team from Rome did, however, face manageable rivals when placing their Europa League bid back on track. There was a obvious gulf in quality between Roma and a Rangers side that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven European games in a row.

To their credit, the home side at least fought hard during a second half when surrender felt the probable option. However, the game was settled as a contest by then. Rangers remain rooted to the bottom of the tournament, which should represent an embarrassment to a club of this standing. The Giallorossi have ambitions once more on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment in this match was in not producing a result appropriately depicting men against boys.

Surprisingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second continental encounter with a team from Scotland since the historic 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 bribing of a match official. Back then, teams from Scotland could compete with the best in the continent. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a level that will shortly have major consequences.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute so far as the fanbase are concerned is that he isn’t Russell Martin. The latter’s ghastly spell as the head coach lasted just over four months in the initial phase of this season. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a limited timeframe. The technical areas witnessed a clash of generations; Röhl is 36, his opposite number the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the sides lined up. The home team’s obvious lack of height against the Italians looked worrying. That concern was confirmed within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante comfortably redirected a corner at the front post. Following up, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to knock Roma ahead. A Roma team minus the unavailable their young striker and their star attacker, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge even with decent performances in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side could have equalised immediately. Rather, the forward screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound signing from Everton has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an productive centre forward but appears reluctant or incapable to use them.

Roma dominated first-half the ball thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through their captain, whose bent effort into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder was left in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous finish. The stadium, typically 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 simply in the midst of being overwhelmed.

After the break started against a curious backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, obviously menacing in message, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their faces. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about all this. Ultimately, the chairman had an low-profile life as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a takeover of Rangers. Fans have not turned on the owner yet but there is a mutinous mood around the club. It is one which is unsurprising; Rangers’ leadership is wholly unconvincing.

As if scripted, the striker was played in on the keeper on the hour mark and hit the outside of the goal. This actually triggered Rangers’ finest spell of the match, in which their replacement the young midfielder fired just wide. It was, nonetheless, hard to determine the visitors’ continued offensive intent until the full-back was presented with a chance all of a yard out which he inexplicably lifted and on to the underside of the crossbar.

That was it as far as meaningful chances were concerned. The raft of changes from each side meant this game ended more in the style of a summer exhibition than serious contest. That scenario benefited the Italians fine. There was cause to consider how exactly the Glasgow club, finalists in this competition in 2022 and strong enough of the quarter-finals a last year, reached the point of making up the numbers.