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There was admirable efficiency in the way Roma dealt with this trip to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Rome did, however, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid on the right path. Observers noted a obvious difference in class between Roma and a the Scottish team side that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven continental matches consecutively.

To their credit, the home side at least fought hard during a later period when capitulation felt the more likely outcome. Yet, the match was settled as a competition by then. The Scottish club remain anchored at the foot of the tournament, which should constitute an disgrace to a team of such stature. The Giallorossi have ambitions once more on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment in this match was in not producing a result appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second-ever European joust with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in 1961. Their last such match, against Dundee United 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a match official. Back then, teams from Scotland could vie with the top sides in the continent. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a level that will soon have huge consequences.

Danny Röhl’s main quality so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he isn’t Russell Martin. Martin’s ghastly spell as the head coach continued for 123 days in the early part of this season. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a generation game; the Rangers boss is 36, his counterpart the Roma manager is 67.

Another element was far more striking as the teams took the field. Rangers’ obvious short stature against the Italians looked ominous. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the near post. Following up, Matías Soulé burst forward to fire Roma ahead. A Roma team minus the unavailable Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness even with decent performances in this campaign, were pleased with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side could have equalised immediately. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. The player’s eight-million-pound signing from Everton has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physique to be an productive centre forward but seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit dominated first-half the ball thereafter. They extended their advantage through their captain, whose bent effort into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in blissful isolation but it was a superb strike. The stadium, typically a raucous place on European nights, had been quietened nine minutes before the break. The discontent which greeted the interval were timid; the home team were clearly in the midst of being overwhelmed.

The second period started against a curious atmosphere. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously menacing in message, depicted the pair with bullseyes on their images. One wonders what the club owner makes of all this. After all, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an low-profile career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before fronting a takeover of this club. Fans have not targeted Cavenagh so far but there is a mutinous feeling around the club. This is unsurprising; The team’s leadership is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on the keeper on the hour mark and hit the outside of the goal. This actually triggered Rangers’ finest spell of the match, in which their substitute the young midfielder fired just wide. It was, nonetheless, difficult to determine the visitors’ continued offensive intent until Zeki Celik was presented with a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably hit up and on to the underside of the bar.

That was it as far as clear-cut opportunity were involved. The series of changes from both teams meant this fixture closed more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. That scenario benefited the Italians perfectly. There was cause to ponder how on earth Rangers, runners-up in this tournament in recently and strong enough of the last eight a last year, arrived at the point of making up the numbers.