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There was impressive effectiveness about the way Roma handled this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. Roma from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when putting their Europa League bid on the right path. There was a glaring gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers squad 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 capitulation felt the more likely option. However, the game was decided as a contest by then. The Scottish club remain anchored at the bottom of the tournament, which should constitute an disgrace to a team of this standing. Roma have ambitions again on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment in this match was in not delivering a scoreline appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second-ever European joust with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in the early 60s. Their last such match, against Dundee United 23 years later, became marred (to put it politely) by the corruption of a referee. In those days, Scottish clubs could compete with the best in Europe. This season has seen the co-efficient plunge to a level that will shortly have major consequences.

The new manager’s key attribute so far as the fanbase are see it is that he is not Russell Martin. The latter’s dismal tenure as the head coach continued for just over four months in the initial phase of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a generation game; Röhl is 36, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides lined up. The home team’s obvious short stature against the visitors looked ominous. This point was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the near post. At the back, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to fire Roma ahead. A Roma team without the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge even with reasonable results in the tournament, were pleased with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side should have levelled matters instantly. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s £8m purchase from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physical attributes to be an effective centre forward but appears unwilling or unable to use them.

The Italian outfit dominated opening period possession thereafter. They extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will bemoan the fact Pellegrini was left in complete freedom but it was a superb finish. The stadium, usually a boisterous place on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. Even the boos which greeted the interval were subdued; Rangers were simply in the midst of being outclassed.

The second period began against a curious atmosphere. Supporters directed their focus for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, obviously sinister in message, depicted the pair with targets on their images. One wonders what the club owner makes of all this. After all, the chairman had an anonymous career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before fronting a takeover of this club. Fans have not targeted the owner so far but there is a mutinous mood around the club. This is easy to understand; The team’s leadership is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on goal on the hour mark and found only the outside of the goal. That moment sparked Rangers’ finest spell of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. Yet, however, difficult to determine Roma’s continued attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was presented with a opportunity from close range which he somehow lifted and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That was it as far as meaningful opportunity were involved. The series of substitutions from each side resulted in this game closed more in the style of a summer exhibition than serious contest. This of course suited Roma perfectly. There was cause to consider how exactly the Glasgow club, finalists in this competition in recently and strong enough of the last eight a season ago, reached the stage of just participating.