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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness about the way Roma dealt with this trip to Scotland. Without much drama. Roma from Rome did, however, face manageable rivals when placing their Europa League bid back on track. Observers noted a glaring gulf in quality between Roma and a Rangers side that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven European games in a row.

To their credit, Rangers at least fought hard during a second half when surrender felt the more likely outcome. Yet, the game was settled as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain rooted to the bottom of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a club of such stature. The Giallorossi have ambitions once more on making proper impact. Their only regret in this match was in not producing a scoreline appropriately depicting men against boys.

Surprisingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second continental encounter with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in the early 60s. The previous one, against the Terrors over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the bribing of a referee. Back then, Scottish clubs could compete with the top sides in Europe. This season has seen the co-efficient drop to a point that will soon have huge consequences.

The new manager’s key attribute up to now as the Rangers support are concerned is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s dismal tenure as the head coach lasted 123 days in the initial phase of this season. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise though within a tiny sample size. The dugouts saw a generation game; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his opposite number the Roma manager is 67.

A further factor was far more striking as the sides lined up. The home team’s obvious short stature against the visitors looked ominous. This point was proven within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the front post. At the back, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to fire Roma in front. The visitors without the injured Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge despite reasonable performances in the tournament, were delighted with their quick lead.

Rangers should have equalised instantly. Rather, the forward sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s £8m purchase from the Toffees has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an effective centre forward but appears reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated opening period possession thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the far post of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will bemoan the fact the midfielder was left in complete freedom but it was a superb strike. Ibrox, usually a raucous venue on European nights, had been silenced with time still remaining before the break. Even the boos which met the half-time whistle were subdued; the home team were simply in the midst of being overwhelmed.

After the break started against a curious backdrop. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions for the latest time towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously sinister in message, depicted the duo with targets on their faces. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman makes of the situation. After all, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an anonymous career as a successful businessman in the US before fronting a takeover of Rangers. Paying punters have not targeted the owner yet but there is a rebellious feeling around the club. This is unsurprising; The team’s management is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, Chermiti was sent through on the keeper on the hour mark and found only the side netting. This actually triggered the home side’s finest spell of the match, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. Yet, however, difficult to gauge Roma’s continued offensive intent until Zeki Celik was given a opportunity from close range which he somehow lifted and on to the underside of the crossbar.

That was it as far as meaningful chances were involved. The raft of changes from each side resulted in this fixture closed more in the style of a summer exhibition than competitive match. That scenario benefited Roma fine. It prompted reflection to consider how exactly the Glasgow club, finalists in this competition in recently and worthy of the quarter-finals a last year, reached the stage of just participating.