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There was admirable efficiency in the way the Italian side handled this journey to Glasgow. Without much drama. The team from Italy’s capital did, however, meet favourable opposition when placing 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 continental matches in a row.

Positively, Rangers at least fought hard during a second half when capitulation felt the more likely outcome. Yet, the match was decided as a contest at that stage. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the Europa League, which should constitute an disgrace to a team of this standing. Roma have eyes again on making proper impact. Their only regret in this match was in not delivering a scoreline appropriately depicting men against boys.

Surprisingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second continental encounter with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in 1961. Their last such match, against the Terrors over two decades later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a match official. Back then, Scottish clubs could vie with the best in Europe. This season has seen the co-efficient plunge to a point that will shortly have major ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute up to now as the Rangers support are concerned is that he is not Russell Martin. The latter’s ghastly tenure as the manager lasted just over four months in the initial phase of this season. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a tiny sample size. The technical areas witnessed a generation game; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the teams took the field. The home team’s glaring short stature against the visitors looked worrying. This point was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder easily flicked on a set-piece at the near post. At the back, the Argentine winger burst forward to fire Roma ahead. A Roma team without the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with reasonable performances in the tournament, were delighted with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side should have levelled matters immediately. Rather, the forward sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the Roma defence. The player’s £8m signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physique to be an productive centre forward but seems reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

Roma controlled opening period possession thereafter. They doubled their lead through their captain, whose curling shot into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will lament the fact Pellegrini was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb strike. Ibrox, usually a boisterous venue on European nights, had been silenced with time still remaining until halftime. The discontent which greeted the interval were subdued; the home team were simply in the process of being outclassed.

After the break began against a unusual atmosphere. Supporters directed their focus for the latest time towards the top executive, the CEO, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, clearly sinister in tone, showed the duo with bullseyes on their faces. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about all this. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before fronting a acquisition of this club. Fans have not turned on Cavenagh so far but there is a rebellious feeling in the air. This is easy to understand; Rangers’ leadership is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, the striker was sent through on the keeper on the hour mark and found only the outside of the goal. This actually triggered the home side’s best period of the game, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. It was, nonetheless, hard to gauge the visitors’ remaining attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was given a opportunity from close range which he somehow hit up and onto the bottom of the crossbar.

That was it as far as meaningful opportunity were concerned. The raft of substitutions from both teams resulted in this game closed more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. This of course suited Roma fine. It prompted reflection to ponder how exactly Rangers, finalists in this competition in recently and strong enough of the last eight a season ago, reached the point of just participating.