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Roma displayed admirable efficiency in the way Roma handled this trip to Scotland. Without much drama. The team from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when putting their European competition bid on the right path. There was a glaring gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers side that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven European games consecutively.

To their credit, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a later period when capitulation felt the probable outcome. Yet, the game was decided as a competition by then. The Scottish club remain rooted to 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. One slight disappointment in this match was in not producing a result appropriately depicting men against boys.

Amazingly, this marked only Roma’s second European joust with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup business with Hibs in the early 60s. The previous one, against Dundee United 23 years later, became marred (to put it politely) by the bribing of a referee. In those days, teams from Scotland could vie with the top sides in Europe. This season has seen the co-efficient plunge to a level that will soon have major ramifications.

The new manager’s key attribute up to now as the Rangers support are concerned is that he is not Russell Martin. The latter’s ghastly spell as the manager lasted just over four months in the initial phase 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; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

A further factor was far more striking as the teams took the field. The home team’s obvious short stature against the visitors looked ominous. This point was proven within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the front post. At the back, Matías Soulé burst forward to fire Roma in front. The visitors minus the injured Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been questioned for bluntness despite decent performances in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.

Rangers could have equalised immediately. Rather, the forward screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. The player’s £8m purchase from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an effective striker but appears reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated opening period the ball from that point. Roma extended their advantage through their captain, whose curling shot into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a superb finish. The stadium, usually a boisterous venue on European nights, had been silenced nine minutes until halftime. The discontent which greeted the interval were subdued; Rangers were clearly in the process of being overwhelmed.

The second period started against a curious backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the top executive, the CEO, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, clearly menacing in tone, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their images. One wonders what the club owner makes of all this. After all, the chairman had an low-profile life as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a acquisition of Rangers. Fans have not turned on Cavenagh so far but there is a rebellious feeling around the club. This is unsurprising; The team’s leadership is completely unimpressive.

Right on cue, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and found only the outside of the goal. That moment sparked the home side’s best period of the game, in which their substitute the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. It was, however, hard to gauge Roma’s continued 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 opportunity as far as meaningful opportunity were concerned. The raft of changes from each side meant this fixture closed more in the style of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. That scenario benefited Roma fine. It prompted reflection to consider how exactly Rangers, finalists in this competition in recently and worthy of the quarter-finals a season ago, arrived at the stage of just participating.