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There was admirable efficiency about the way the Italian side handled this journey to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. The team from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid back on track. There was a glaring difference in class between Roma and a the Scottish team squad that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven European games in a row.

Positively, Rangers at least fought hard during a later period when surrender felt the more likely option. Yet, the game was settled as a contest at that stage. The Scottish club remain anchored at the foot of the tournament, which should represent an disgrace to a team of such stature. The Giallorossi have eyes again on making proper impact. One slight disappointment here was in not delivering a result appropriately depicting men against boys.

Amazingly, this represented only Roma’s second continental encounter with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in the early 60s. The previous one, against Dundee United over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a match official. Back then, teams from Scotland could compete with the top sides in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a point that will soon have huge consequences.

The new manager’s main quality up to now as the fanbase are see it 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 the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The technical areas witnessed a clash of generations; Röhl is thirty-six, his opposite number the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

Another element was much more noticeable as the teams lined up. The home team’s obvious lack of height against the Italians looked worrying. That concern was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante comfortably redirected a set-piece at the front post. Following up, the Argentine winger burst forward to knock Roma ahead. The visitors minus the injured Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness despite decent performances in the tournament, were delighted with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side should have levelled matters immediately. Instead, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a defensive error 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 centre forward but seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma controlled first-half possession from that point. They extended their advantage through their captain, whose curling shot into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will bemoan the fact Pellegrini was left in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous finish. The stadium, typically a raucous place on continental evenings, had been silenced with time still remaining until halftime. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were timid; the home team were simply in the midst of being overwhelmed.

The second period began against a curious atmosphere. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, the director. A pair of displays, clearly menacing in tone, depicted the pair with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman thinks about the situation. After all, Andrew Cavenagh had an anonymous life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before leading a acquisition of Rangers. Fans have not turned on Cavenagh so far but there is a mutinous mood around the club. It is one which is easy to understand; The team’s management is wholly unimpressive.

Right on cue, the striker was sent through on goal on the hour mark and found only the outside of the goal. That moment sparked the home side’s finest spell of the game, in which their substitute the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. Yet, however, difficult to gauge Roma’s remaining attacking motivation until the full-back was presented with a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably lifted and on to the bottom of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were involved. The series of changes from each side resulted in this game closed more in the style of a summer exhibition than competitive match. That scenario benefited Roma perfectly. There was cause to consider how exactly the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in 2022 and worthy of the last eight a season ago, reached the point of making up the numbers.