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Roma displayed admirable efficiency about the way the Italian side handled this trip to Glasgow. Without much drama. The team from Italy’s capital did, however, meet favourable opposition when putting their European competition bid on the right path. Observers noted a obvious gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team squad that has now lost a club record seven European games in a row.

To their credit, Rangers at least fought hard during a second half when capitulation felt the more likely option. Yet, the match was decided as a contest by then. Rangers remain rooted to the bottom of the tournament, which should represent an disgrace to a team of such stature. Roma have eyes once more on achieving significant success. Their only regret in this match was in not producing a scoreline that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second European joust with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibs in the early 60s. The previous one, against Dundee United 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a match official. Back then, Scottish clubs could compete with the top sides in the continent. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a level that will soon have huge ramifications.

The new manager’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are concerned is that he is not Russell Martin. Martin’s ghastly tenure as the head coach continued for 123 days in the early part of this season. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The technical areas saw a generation game; Röhl is 36, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

Another element was far more striking as the teams took the field. Rangers’ obvious short stature against the visitors looked ominous. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder easily redirected a set-piece at the front post. Following up, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to fire his team ahead. A Roma team minus the unavailable their young striker and their star attacker, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge despite reasonable performances in this campaign, were pleased with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side could have levelled matters instantly. Instead, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s £8m signing from Everton has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physique to be an productive striker but appears reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated first-half the ball thereafter. They extended their advantage through their captain, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a superb finish. The stadium, usually a boisterous place on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. Even the boos which met the interval were timid; Rangers were clearly in the midst of being outclassed.

The second period began against a unusual atmosphere. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions once again towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, clearly sinister in tone, depicted the pair with bullseyes on their images. One wonders what the club owner makes of all this. Ultimately, the chairman enjoyed an low-profile career as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a acquisition of this club. Fans have not targeted the owner yet but there is a mutinous feeling in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; Rangers’ management is completely unconvincing.

As if scripted, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the hour mark and found only the outside of the goal. This actually triggered the home side’s finest spell of the game, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. It was, nonetheless, difficult to determine the visitors’ remaining attacking motivation until the full-back was given a chance all of a yard out which he inexplicably lifted and on to the underside of the bar.

That was it as far as meaningful chances were concerned. The series of changes from both teams meant this fixture ended more in the style of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. That scenario benefited Roma perfectly. It prompted reflection to consider how on earth Rangers, finalists in this tournament in recently and strong enough of the last eight a last year, arrived at the stage of just participating.