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There was impressive effectiveness in the way the Italian side dealt with this journey to Glasgow. Without much drama. Roma from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when putting their European competition bid on the right path. There was a glaring difference in class between Roma and a the Scottish team side that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven continental matches in a row.

Positively, Rangers at least fought hard during a second half when surrender felt the probable outcome. However, the match was settled as a contest by then. Rangers remain rooted to the foot of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a team of such stature. Roma have ambitions once more on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment here was in not producing a scoreline appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second-ever continental encounter with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in the early 60s. Their last such match, against the Terrors 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the bribing of a referee. In those days, teams from Scotland could vie with the best in Europe. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a point that will soon have huge consequences.

The new manager’s key attribute so far as the fanbase are concerned is that he is not his predecessor. Martin’s dismal tenure as the head coach lasted 123 days in the early part of the campaign. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The technical areas saw a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is 36, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

A further factor was far more striking as the teams took the field. Rangers’ obvious lack of height against the visitors looked ominous. That concern was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante easily redirected a set-piece at the near post. Following up, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to knock his team in front. A Roma team without the unavailable Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been questioned for bluntness despite reasonable performances in the tournament, were pleased with their early advantage.

Rangers should have equalised immediately. Rather, the forward screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. The player’s eight-million-pound signing from Everton has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an productive centre forward but seems unwilling or unable to use them.

Roma dominated first-half the ball thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will lament the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous strike. Ibrox, typically a boisterous place on European nights, had been quietened with time still remaining until halftime. The discontent which greeted the half-time whistle were subdued; the home team were clearly in the process of being outclassed.

After the break began against a unusual backdrop. Supporters directed their focus once again towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, clearly menacing in tone, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their faces. One wonders what the Rangers chairman makes of the situation. After all, the chairman enjoyed an anonymous life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before leading a acquisition of this club. Fans have not turned on Cavenagh so far but there is a mutinous mood in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; Rangers’ leadership is wholly unconvincing.

As if scripted, the striker was played in on goal on the hour mark and found only the side netting. That moment sparked the home side’s finest spell of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. It was, however, difficult to gauge Roma’s remaining offensive intent until the full-back was presented with a opportunity all of a yard out which he inexplicably lifted and on to the bottom of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful chances were concerned. The raft of substitutions from each side meant this game closed more in the style of a summer exhibition than competitive match. This of course suited Roma fine. It prompted reflection to consider how on earth the Glasgow club, finalists in this competition in recently and worthy of the last eight a season ago, reached the stage of just participating.