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There was impressive effectiveness in the way Roma dealt with this trip to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Rome did, however, face manageable rivals when putting their Europa League bid on the right path. Observers noted a glaring gulf in quality between Roma and a the Scottish team side that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven continental matches in a row.

To their credit, the home side at least fought hard during a later period when capitulation felt the more likely outcome. Yet, the match was settled as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the tournament, which should constitute an disgrace to a club of this standing. Roma have ambitions again on achieving significant success. Their only regret in this match was in not producing a scoreline appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this marked 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 Dundee United 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 best in the continent. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a level that will soon have major consequences.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he isn’t his predecessor. The latter’s ghastly spell as the manager continued for 123 days in the initial phase of this season. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The technical areas saw a generation game; Röhl is 36, his opposite number the Roma manager is 67.

Another element was far more striking as the teams took the field. The home team’s obvious short stature against the Italians looked worrying. 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 ahead. The visitors minus the unavailable their young striker and their star attacker, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge despite decent results in this campaign, were pleased with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side could have levelled matters immediately. Instead, the forward sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s £8m purchase from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physical attributes to be an effective centre forward but seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma controlled first-half possession from that point. Roma doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will lament the fact Pellegrini was left in complete freedom but it was a superb finish. The stadium, typically a boisterous place on continental evenings, had been silenced with time still remaining before the break. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were timid; Rangers were simply in the midst of being outclassed.

After the break started against a curious backdrop. Those Rangers fans directed their focus for the latest time towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously sinister in message, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about the situation. After all, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before leading a acquisition of Rangers. Fans have not turned on the owner so far but there is a mutinous mood in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; Rangers’ management is completely unimpressive.

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’ best period of the match, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. It was, nonetheless, hard to gauge Roma’s remaining offensive intent until Zeki Celik was presented with a chance all of a yard out which he inexplicably lifted and on to the bottom of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful opportunity were involved. The raft of changes from each side meant this fixture ended more in the style of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. That scenario benefited the Italians perfectly. There was cause to ponder how on earth Rangers, runners-up in this tournament in recently and strong enough of the quarter-finals a season ago, reached the stage of just participating.