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Roma displayed admirable efficiency in the way the Italian side handled this trip to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. The team from Rome did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when putting their European competition bid on the right path. 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 continental matches in a row.

To their credit, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a second half when capitulation felt the probable outcome. Yet, the match was settled as a contest by then. The Scottish club remain rooted to the foot of the tournament, which should constitute an embarrassment to a club of such stature. Roma have eyes once more on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment in this match was in not producing a scoreline that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second-ever European joust with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in the early 60s. Their last such match, against the Terrors 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a match official. In those days, Scottish clubs could vie with the best in the continent. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a point that will soon have huge consequences.

Danny Röhl’s main quality up to now as the fanbase are see it is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s ghastly tenure as the head coach lasted 123 days in the early part of the campaign. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The technical areas saw a generation game; Röhl is 36, his opposite number the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides lined up. The home team’s obvious short stature against the Italians looked ominous. This point was proven within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder comfortably flicked on a corner at the near post. At the back, the Argentine winger burst forward to knock Roma ahead. A Roma team without the injured Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness even with decent performances in the tournament, were delighted with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side could have equalised instantly. Instead, the forward screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s £8m purchase from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physique to be an productive centre forward but seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit dominated opening period possession thereafter. Roma doubled their lead through their captain, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. Ibrox, usually a boisterous venue on continental evenings, had been silenced with time still remaining before the break. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were timid; Rangers were clearly in the midst of being outclassed.

After the break started against a unusual backdrop. Those Rangers fans directed their focus once again towards the top executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, clearly menacing in tone, depicted the pair with bullseyes on their faces. It raises questions what the club owner makes of all this. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh had an anonymous life as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a takeover of this club. Fans have not targeted Cavenagh so far but there is a mutinous feeling around the club. This is easy to understand; The team’s management is completely unimpressive.

As if scripted, Chermiti was sent through on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and hit the side netting. That moment sparked the home side’s best period of the match, in which their replacement the young midfielder fired just wide. It was, nonetheless, difficult to gauge the visitors’ remaining offensive intent until Zeki Celik was presented with a opportunity all of a yard out which he inexplicably lifted and on to the underside of the bar.

That was it as far as clear-cut opportunity were concerned. The series of changes from both teams resulted in this fixture closed more in the style of a summer exhibition than competitive match. This of course suited Roma perfectly. It prompted reflection to consider how on earth the Glasgow club, runners-up in this tournament in recently and strong enough of the quarter-finals a season ago, reached the stage of just participating.