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There was impressive effectiveness about the way the Italian side dealt with this journey to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. The team from Italy’s capital did, however, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid back on track. Observers noted a obvious gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers side that has now lost a club record seven European games consecutively.

To their credit, the home side at least fought hard during a second half when surrender felt the probable outcome. However, the game was settled as a competition by then. The Scottish club remain rooted to the bottom of the tournament, which should constitute an embarrassment to a club of this standing. Roma have ambitions again on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment here was in not producing a result that truly reflected men against boys.

Amazingly, this represented only Roma’s second European joust with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in 1961. Their last such match, against Dundee United over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the bribing of a referee. Back then, Scottish clubs could compete with the best in the continent. This season has seen the co-efficient drop to a point that will soon have major consequences.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute up to now as the Rangers support 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 the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has shown promise though within a tiny sample size. The dugouts saw a generation game; Röhl is 36, his opposite number the Roma manager is 67.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides took the field. Rangers’ obvious short stature against the Italians looked ominous. This point was proven within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder comfortably redirected a set-piece at the front post. At the back, Matías Soulé burst forward to knock Roma in front. The visitors minus the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness despite decent results in the tournament, were delighted with their quick lead.

Rangers should have levelled matters instantly. Instead, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound signing from Everton has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physical attributes to be an effective striker but seems reluctant or incapable to use them.

Roma controlled first-half possession from that point. Roma doubled their lead through their captain, whose bent effort into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will lament the fact Pellegrini stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, typically a raucous place on European nights, had been silenced nine minutes until halftime. The discontent which greeted the half-time whistle were subdued; the home team were simply in the midst of being outclassed.

After the break began against a curious backdrop. Supporters directed their focus once again towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, clearly sinister in message, depicted the duo with targets on their faces. One wonders what the club owner makes of all this. After all, the chairman had an anonymous career as a successful businessman in the US before fronting a acquisition of this club. Fans have not targeted Cavenagh so far but there is a mutinous mood around the club. This is unsurprising; Rangers’ management is completely unconvincing.

As if scripted, Chermiti was sent through on the keeper on the hour mark and found only the side netting. This actually triggered Rangers’ finest spell of the game, in which their substitute the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. Yet, however, hard to determine the visitors’ remaining offensive intent until the full-back was given a chance all of a yard out which he somehow hit up and onto the bottom of the bar.

That was it as far as clear-cut chances were involved. The raft of changes from both teams resulted in this game closed more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. This of course suited the Italians fine. There was cause to consider how on earth Rangers, finalists in this competition in recently and worthy of the last eight a last year, arrived at the point of making up the numbers.