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There was impressive effectiveness about the way the Italian side handled this trip to Glasgow. Without much drama. Roma from Italy’s capital did, however, face manageable rivals when placing their European competition bid on the right path. Observers noted a obvious difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers squad that has now lost a club record seven continental matches in a row.

To their credit, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a later period when capitulation felt the probable option. Yet, the game was decided as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain rooted to the foot of the tournament, which should represent an embarrassment to a team 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 continental encounter with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in the early 60s. The previous one, against the Terrors over two decades later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a match official. In those days, Scottish clubs could compete with the best in the continent. This season has seen the co-efficient drop to a point that will shortly have major ramifications.

The new manager’s main quality so far as the Rangers support are concerned is that he isn’t Russell Martin. The latter’s ghastly tenure as the head coach lasted just over four months in the early part of the campaign. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a generation game; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his counterpart the Roma manager is 67.

Another element was far more striking as the teams took the field. The home team’s obvious short stature against the visitors looked ominous. This point was confirmed within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante easily flicked on a set-piece at the near post. Following up, Matías Soulé burst forward to fire Roma in front. The visitors minus the injured Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness even with reasonable results in this campaign, were pleased with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side should have levelled matters immediately. Instead, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound signing from Everton has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physique to be an productive centre forward but seems reluctant or incapable to use them.

Roma controlled opening period possession thereafter. Roma doubled their lead through their captain, whose bent effort into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will bemoan the fact the midfielder was left in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous finish. Ibrox, usually a boisterous place on European nights, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. The discontent which met the interval were timid; the home team were clearly in the process of being overwhelmed.

The second period began against a unusual backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions once again towards the top executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, obviously menacing in message, showed the pair with targets on their images. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman makes of the situation. After all, the chairman enjoyed an anonymous career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before leading a acquisition of this club. Fans have not targeted Cavenagh yet but there is a mutinous feeling in the air. It is one which is unsurprising; Rangers’ management is completely unconvincing.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and found only the outside of the goal. That moment sparked Rangers’ best period of the match, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. It was, however, hard to determine Roma’s continued attacking motivation until the full-back was given a opportunity all of a yard out which he somehow hit up and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That was it as far as meaningful opportunity were concerned. The raft of changes from each side meant this game closed more in the style of a summer exhibition than competitive match. That scenario benefited Roma perfectly. It prompted reflection to ponder how on earth Rangers, finalists in this competition in recently and worthy of the last eight a last year, reached the stage of making up the numbers.