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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness about the way Roma handled this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. Roma from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when placing their Europa League bid on the right path. There was a obvious difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers side that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven European games consecutively.

To their credit, Rangers at least fought hard during a later period when surrender felt the more likely outcome. Yet, the match was decided as a contest by then. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a club of this standing. Roma have eyes again on achieving significant success. Their only regret in this match was in not producing a result appropriately depicting men against boys.

Surprisingly, this represented only Roma’s second-ever continental encounter with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in 1961. Their last such match, against Dundee United over two decades later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a match official. Back then, teams from Scotland could vie with the best in Europe. The current campaign has seen the co-efficient drop to a point that will soon have major consequences.

The new manager’s main quality so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he is not his predecessor. The latter’s ghastly spell as the manager continued for just over four months in the initial phase of the campaign. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has shown promise though within a limited timeframe. The dugouts witnessed a generation game; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his opposite number the Roma manager is 67.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides took the field. Rangers’ obvious lack of height against the visitors looked ominous. That concern was confirmed within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the front post. Following up, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to knock his team ahead. The visitors minus the unavailable their young striker and their star attacker, who have been criticised for bluntness despite decent results in this campaign, were pleased with their quick lead.

Rangers could have levelled matters instantly. Instead, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the Roma defence. The player’s eight-million-pound purchase from Everton has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physique to be an productive striker but seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma controlled opening period possession thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will bemoan the fact the midfielder was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. Ibrox, usually a boisterous venue on continental evenings, had been quietened with time still remaining until halftime. Even the boos which met the half-time whistle were timid; the home team were clearly in the process of being outclassed.

After the break started against a curious atmosphere. Supporters directed their focus once again towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, the director. Two banners, obviously menacing in tone, showed the pair with targets on their images. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman makes of all this. After all, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an anonymous life as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a takeover of Rangers. Fans have not targeted the owner yet but there is a rebellious feeling around the club. This is easy to understand; Rangers’ leadership is completely unimpressive.

Right on cue, the striker was played in on the keeper on the hour mark and hit the side netting. This actually triggered the home side’s best period of the game, in which their replacement the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. It was, nonetheless, difficult to determine the visitors’ remaining attacking motivation until the full-back was given a opportunity all of a yard out which he somehow hit up and on to the bottom of the crossbar.

That was it as far as clear-cut chances were concerned. The raft of substitutions from each side meant this game ended more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than serious contest. This of course suited the Italians perfectly. There was cause to consider how on earth Rangers, finalists in this competition in 2022 and worthy of the last eight a last year, arrived at the stage of making up the numbers.