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Roma displayed admirable efficiency about the way Roma dealt with this journey to Glasgow. Without much drama. The team from Rome did, however, face manageable rivals when putting their Europa League bid back on track. There was a obvious difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers side that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven European games in a row.

Positively, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a second half when capitulation felt the probable outcome. However, the match was settled as a contest by then. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the tournament, which should constitute an disgrace to a team of this standing. The Giallorossi have ambitions once more on making proper impact. Their only regret in this match was in not delivering a result that truly reflected men against boys.

Amazingly, this represented only Roma’s second European joust with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in 1961. Their last such match, against the Terrors 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the bribing of a match official. In those days, teams from Scotland could compete with the best in Europe. This season has seen the co-efficient plunge to a level that will soon have huge consequences.

The new manager’s key attribute up to now as the fanbase are see it is that he is not Russell Martin. The latter’s dismal spell as the head coach continued for just over four months in the initial phase of this season. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The technical areas saw a generation game; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his counterpart the Roma manager is 67.

A further factor was far more striking as the teams took the field. Rangers’ obvious lack of height against the Italians looked ominous. That concern was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the near post. At the back, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to fire his team ahead. The visitors without the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with decent performances in the tournament, were pleased with their early advantage.

Rangers should have levelled matters instantly. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s £8m signing from the Toffees has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an effective striker but seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated first-half possession thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net came after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will bemoan the fact Pellegrini stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, typically a raucous venue on continental evenings, had been quietened with time still remaining before the break. Even the boos which greeted the interval were subdued; the home team were clearly in the process of being outclassed.

After the break began against a unusual atmosphere. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. A pair of displays, obviously sinister in tone, showed the duo with targets on their faces. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman thinks about the situation. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh had an anonymous life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before leading a acquisition of this club. Paying punters have not targeted the owner yet but there is a mutinous feeling in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; Rangers’ leadership is completely unconvincing.

Right on cue, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the hour mark and hit the side netting. That moment sparked the home side’s finest spell of the match, in which their replacement the young midfielder fired just wide. Yet, nonetheless, hard to determine the visitors’ continued attacking motivation until the full-back was given a chance from close range which he somehow lifted and on to the bottom of the bar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut chances were involved. The raft of substitutions from each side meant this fixture ended more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than serious contest. That scenario benefited the Italians perfectly. There was cause to ponder how on earth the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in recently and strong enough of the quarter-finals a season ago, arrived at the stage of making up the numbers.