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Roma displayed admirable efficiency in the way the Italian side dealt with this journey to Glasgow. Without much drama. The team from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when placing 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 squad that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven continental matches 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 competition at that stage. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the tournament, which should constitute an disgrace to a club of this standing. The Giallorossi have eyes once more on achieving significant success. Their only regret in this match was in not delivering a scoreline appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this represented only Roma’s second European joust with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in 1961. Their last such match, against Dundee United over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a referee. Back then, teams from Scotland could compete with the top sides in the continent. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a point that will shortly have major ramifications.

The new manager’s key attribute up to now as the Rangers support are see it is that he is not his predecessor. Martin’s dismal tenure as the head coach continued for just over four months in the early part of this season. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The technical areas witnessed a clash of generations; Röhl is 36, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

Another element was far more striking as the sides lined up. Rangers’ obvious short stature against the Italians looked worrying. This point was confirmed within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante easily flicked on a set-piece at the front post. Following up, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to knock his team in front. The visitors without the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge even with decent results in this campaign, were delighted with their quick lead.

Rangers could have levelled matters immediately. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. The player’s eight-million-pound purchase from the Toffees has piled pressure on the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physical attributes to be an productive centre forward but appears reluctant or incapable to use them.

The Italian outfit dominated first-half possession thereafter. Roma doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will lament the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, usually a boisterous venue on European nights, had been silenced with time still remaining before the break. The discontent which met the interval were subdued; the home team were simply in the process of being outclassed.

After the break began against a unusual atmosphere. Those Rangers fans directed their focus once again towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, obviously sinister in tone, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their faces. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about all this. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before leading a takeover of Rangers. Fans have not targeted the owner so far but there is a mutinous feeling in the air. It is one which is unsurprising; The team’s leadership is completely unimpressive.

Right on cue, the striker was played in on goal on the 60-minute mark and hit the outside of the goal. That moment sparked the home side’s finest spell of the game, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. Yet, however, difficult to determine Roma’s continued attacking motivation until the full-back was presented with a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably hit up and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That was it as far as clear-cut opportunity were concerned. The raft of substitutions from each side meant this game ended more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. That scenario benefited Roma perfectly. It prompted reflection to ponder how on earth the Glasgow club, runners-up in this tournament in recently and worthy of the quarter-finals a last year, reached the point of making up the numbers.