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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness about the way the Italian side handled this journey to Glasgow. Without much drama. The team from Italy’s capital did, however, meet favourable opposition when placing their European competition bid back on track. Observers noted a glaring difference in class between Roma and a Rangers side that has now lost a team record seven continental matches consecutively.

Positively, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a second half when surrender felt the more likely option. However, the match was settled as a contest by then. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the Europa League, which should represent an embarrassment to a club of this standing. Roma have eyes once more on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment here was in not producing a result appropriately depicting men against boys.

Amazingly, this represented only Roma’s second-ever continental encounter with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in 1961. The previous one, against Dundee United over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a match official. In those days, teams from Scotland could vie with the top sides in Europe. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a level that will soon have huge ramifications.

The new manager’s key attribute up to now as the Rangers support are see it is that he is not his predecessor. The latter’s dismal tenure as the manager lasted just over four months in the initial phase of this season. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a clash of generations; 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 Italians looked worrying. This point was proven within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder comfortably redirected a set-piece at the front post. Following up, Matías Soulé burst forward to fire his team in front. A Roma team without the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for bluntness even with decent performances in the tournament, were delighted with their early advantage.

Rangers should have levelled matters instantly. Instead, the forward screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s £8m signing from Everton has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an effective centre forward but appears reluctant or incapable to use them.

Roma controlled opening period the ball thereafter. They doubled their lead 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. Ibrox, usually a boisterous place on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. The discontent which greeted the half-time whistle were subdued; Rangers were clearly in the process of being outclassed.

The second period began against a unusual backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions once again towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, obviously sinister in message, showed the pair with targets on their images. One wonders what the Rangers chairman thinks about the situation. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an anonymous life as a successful businessman in the US before leading a takeover of Rangers. Fans have not turned on Cavenagh so far but there is a mutinous feeling around the club. This is unsurprising; Rangers’ management is completely unimpressive.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and hit the outside of the goal. This actually triggered Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their substitute the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. It was, nonetheless, hard to determine Roma’s continued offensive intent until the full-back was given a chance from close range which he inexplicably lifted and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were concerned. The series of substitutions from both teams meant this game ended more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. This of course suited Roma perfectly. There was cause to ponder how on earth Rangers, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and strong enough of the last eight a last year, reached the point of making up the numbers.