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Roma displayed admirable efficiency about the way Roma dealt with this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. The team from Italy’s capital did, however, face manageable rivals when putting their European competition bid on the right path. Observers noted a glaring gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team side that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven European games consecutively.

Positively, the home side at least fought hard during a second half when surrender felt the more likely outcome. Yet, the game was settled as a contest at that stage. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the tournament, which should constitute an embarrassment to a club of such stature. Roma have eyes again on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment here was in not delivering a scoreline 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 Hibernian in the early 60s. Their last such match, against Dundee United 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a match official. In those days, teams from Scotland could vie with the top sides in the continent. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will shortly have major consequences.

The new manager’s main quality so far as the fanbase are concerned is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s ghastly tenure as the manager lasted just over four months in the initial phase of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has shown promise though within a limited timeframe. The technical areas witnessed a generation game; the Rangers boss is 36, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

A further factor was far more striking as the sides took the field. Rangers’ glaring short stature against the Italians looked worrying. This point was proven within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante comfortably redirected a set-piece at the near post. At the back, the Argentine winger burst forward to fire Roma ahead. The visitors minus the unavailable Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been questioned for bluntness even with decent results in the tournament, were delighted with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side should have equalised instantly. Rather, the forward screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physical attributes to be an productive centre forward but appears unwilling or unable to use them.

The Italian outfit controlled first-half possession from that point. Roma extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net came after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, usually a boisterous place on European nights, had been silenced with time still remaining before the break. The discontent which greeted the half-time whistle were subdued; the home team were clearly in the process of being outclassed.

After the break began against a curious atmosphere. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, obviously sinister in message, depicted the pair with targets on their faces. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman makes of the situation. After all, the chairman enjoyed an low-profile life as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a acquisition of Rangers. Fans have not targeted Cavenagh yet but there is a mutinous feeling in the air. It is one which is unsurprising; Rangers’ management is wholly unconvincing.

As if scripted, the striker was played in on the keeper on the hour mark and found only the side netting. That moment sparked Rangers’ finest spell of the match, in which their replacement the young midfielder fired just wide. It was, nonetheless, hard to gauge the visitors’ continued attacking motivation until the full-back was presented with a chance from close range which he inexplicably lifted and on to the bottom of the bar.

That was it as far as meaningful opportunity were involved. The series of changes from both teams resulted in this game closed more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than competitive match. That scenario benefited Roma fine. It prompted reflection to consider how on earth Rangers, runners-up in this tournament in 2022 and strong enough of the quarter-finals a season ago, reached the point of just participating.