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There was admirable efficiency in the way the Italian side dealt with this trip to Scotland. Without much drama. The team from Italy’s capital did, however, meet favourable opposition when putting their European competition bid back on track. Observers noted a obvious difference in class between Roma and a Rangers squad that has now lost a team record seven European games in a row.

To their credit, the home side at least fought hard during a later period when capitulation felt the more likely outcome. However, the match 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 club of this standing. Roma have eyes once more on making proper impact. One slight disappointment here was in not producing a scoreline appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this represented only Roma’s second European joust with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in 1961. Their last such match, against the Terrors over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) 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 soon have huge ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s main quality up to now as the Rangers support are concerned is that he is not Russell Martin. Martin’s dismal tenure as the head coach lasted 123 days in the initial phase of this season. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a tiny sample size. The dugouts saw a generation game; the Rangers boss is 36, his opposite number the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the teams took the field. The home team’s glaring lack of height against the visitors looked worrying. This point was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the front post. Following up, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to fire his team in front. The visitors without the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness despite reasonable results in this campaign, were delighted with their quick lead.

Rangers should have equalised immediately. Instead, the forward screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. The player’s eight-million-pound signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an productive centre forward but appears reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit dominated opening period possession thereafter. They doubled their lead through their captain, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net came after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. The stadium, typically a boisterous venue on European nights, had been quietened with time still remaining before the break. Even the boos which greeted the half-time whistle were timid; the home team were clearly in the midst of being overwhelmed.

The second period began against a unusual backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions once again towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, clearly menacing in message, depicted the duo with targets on their images. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about 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. Fans have not targeted Cavenagh so far but there is a mutinous mood in the air. It is one which is unsurprising; Rangers’ leadership is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, the striker was played in on goal on the hour mark and hit the side netting. This actually triggered the home side’s best period of the match, in which their substitute the young midfielder fired just wide. It was, however, hard to determine Roma’s continued offensive intent until Zeki Celik was given a opportunity all of a yard out which he somehow lifted and on to the bottom of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful opportunity were involved. The series of substitutions from both teams resulted in this fixture closed more in the style of a summer exhibition than serious contest. This of course suited the Italians fine. It prompted reflection to ponder how exactly Rangers, runners-up in this competition in recently and worthy of the quarter-finals a season ago, arrived at the point of making up the numbers.