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There was admirable efficiency about the way the Italian side handled this trip to Scotland. Without much drama. Roma from Rome did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when putting their European competition bid back on track. Observers noted a glaring gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers side that has now lost a club record seven continental matches in a row.

Positively, the home side at least fought hard during a later period when capitulation felt the more likely outcome. However, the game was settled as a contest by then. The Scottish club remain rooted to the bottom of the tournament, which should constitute an embarrassment to a team of this standing. Roma have eyes once more on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment here was in not producing a result appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second continental encounter with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in the early 60s. The previous one, against the Terrors over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a match official. Back then, teams from Scotland could vie with the best in Europe. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a point that will shortly have major consequences.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute up to now as the fanbase are concerned is that he isn’t Russell Martin. Martin’s ghastly spell as the manager lasted just over four months in the early part of this season. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a tiny sample size. The technical areas witnessed a clash of generations; Röhl is 36, his opposite number the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

Another element was far more striking as the teams took the field. Rangers’ glaring short stature against the Italians looked worrying. That concern was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder comfortably flicked on a corner at the near post. Following up, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to knock Roma in front. The visitors without the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge despite decent performances in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side should have levelled matters instantly. Instead, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. The player’s £8m purchase from Everton 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 use them.

Roma controlled opening period possession from that point. Roma doubled their lead through their captain, whose curling shot into the far post of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will lament the fact Pellegrini was left in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, usually a raucous place on European nights, had been silenced with time still remaining before the break. The discontent which greeted the half-time whistle were timid; Rangers were clearly in the process of being overwhelmed.

The second period started against a unusual backdrop. Supporters directed their focus for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, obviously menacing in tone, showed the pair with targets on their images. One wonders what the club owner thinks about the situation. Ultimately, the chairman enjoyed an low-profile life as a successful businessman in the US before leading a acquisition of this club. Paying punters have not turned on the owner yet but there is a rebellious feeling in the air. This is easy to understand; The team’s leadership is wholly unimpressive.

As if scripted, Chermiti was played in on the keeper on the hour mark and found only the side netting. This actually triggered the home side’s best period of the match, in which their replacement the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. It was, nonetheless, difficult to gauge Roma’s continued attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was presented with a chance all of a yard out which he somehow lifted and on to the underside of the bar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were concerned. The raft of substitutions from each side resulted in this game ended more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than serious contest. This of course suited Roma fine. There was cause to consider how exactly the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in recently and worthy of the quarter-finals a season ago, reached the point of making up the numbers.