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Roma displayed admirable efficiency about the way Roma dealt with this journey to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. The team from Italy’s capital did, however, face manageable rivals when putting their Europa League bid on the right path. There was a glaring difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers squad that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven European games consecutively.

To their credit, the home side at least fought hard during a second half when capitulation felt the probable option. However, the match was settled as a contest at that stage. The Scottish club remain anchored at the foot of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a team of such stature. Roma have eyes once more on making proper impact. Their only regret here was in not delivering a scoreline appropriately depicting men against boys.

Amazingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second-ever continental encounter with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibs in the early 60s. Their last such match, against the Terrors over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a match official. In those days, Scottish clubs could compete with the best in the continent. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will shortly have major consequences.

Danny Röhl’s main quality so far as the fanbase are concerned is that he isn’t Russell Martin. Martin’s ghastly tenure as the manager lasted 123 days in the early part of this season. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise though within a limited timeframe. The dugouts witnessed a generation game; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

Another element was far more striking as the teams took the field. The home team’s obvious lack of height against the visitors looked ominous. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante easily flicked on a set-piece at the near post. Following up, the Argentine winger burst forward to fire Roma ahead. The visitors without the injured their young striker and their star attacker, who have been questioned for bluntness despite decent performances in the tournament, were delighted with their quick lead.

Rangers could have levelled matters instantly. Rather, the forward sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound signing from Everton has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physique to be an productive striker but appears reluctant or incapable to use them.

The Italian outfit dominated first-half the ball from that point. Roma doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will lament the fact Pellegrini stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, usually a boisterous place on continental evenings, had been quietened with time still remaining until halftime. Even the boos which met the interval were subdued; Rangers were clearly in the midst of being outclassed.

The second period started against a curious backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously sinister in tone, showed the pair with targets on their faces. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about all this. Ultimately, the chairman enjoyed an low-profile life as a successful businessman in the United States before leading a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not turned on 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.

As if scripted, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and hit the outside of the goal. That moment sparked the home side’s finest spell of the game, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. It was, however, difficult to determine Roma’s remaining offensive intent until Zeki Celik was presented with a opportunity all of a yard out which he somehow hit up and onto the bottom of the crossbar.

That was it as far as meaningful chances were concerned. The raft of substitutions from both teams resulted in this fixture ended more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. That scenario benefited Roma perfectly. It prompted reflection to ponder how exactly Rangers, runners-up in this competition in recently and strong enough of the last eight a season ago, reached the stage of just participating.