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There was impressive effectiveness about the way the Italian side dealt with this journey to Glasgow. Without much drama. The team from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when putting their Europa League bid on the right path. There was a obvious difference in class between Roma and a the Scottish team squad that has now lost a club record seven European games in a row.

Positively, Rangers at least fought hard during a later period when capitulation felt the probable outcome. Yet, the match was decided as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain rooted to the foot of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a team of such stature. The Giallorossi have ambitions again on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment here was in not delivering a scoreline that truly reflected men against boys.

Amazingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second European joust with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in the early 60s. Their last such match, against Dundee United over two decades later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a match official. In those days, Scottish clubs could compete with the best in Europe. The current campaign has seen the co-efficient plunge to a level that will soon have huge consequences.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute up to now as the fanbase are concerned is that he is not his predecessor. The latter’s dismal tenure as the manager continued for just over four months in the initial phase of this season. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The dugouts witnessed a generation game; the Rangers boss is 36, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

Another element was much more noticeable as the teams took the field. Rangers’ glaring short stature against the Italians looked ominous. That concern was proven within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder comfortably flicked on a corner at the front post. At the back, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to knock his team in front. The visitors minus the unavailable their young striker and their star attacker, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge even with decent results in this campaign, were pleased with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side should have equalised immediately. Rather, the forward sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s £8m signing from Everton has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physique to be an productive striker but appears reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated opening period the ball thereafter. Roma doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net came after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will lament the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous finish. Ibrox, typically a raucous venue on European nights, had been quietened with time still remaining before the break. Even the boos which met the interval were subdued; the home team were clearly in the midst of being overwhelmed.

After the break began against a unusual backdrop. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions once again towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, the director. Two banners, obviously menacing in message, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their faces. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman thinks about the situation. After all, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before fronting a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not turned on Cavenagh yet but there is a rebellious feeling in the air. This is easy to understand; Rangers’ leadership is completely unimpressive.

Right on cue, 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 replacement the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. Yet, nonetheless, difficult to gauge the visitors’ continued attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was presented with a opportunity all of a yard out which he somehow lifted and on to the bottom of the bar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful chances were concerned. The raft of substitutions from each side meant this game ended more in the style of a summer exhibition than serious contest. That scenario benefited the Italians perfectly. There was cause to consider how exactly Rangers, runners-up in this competition in 2022 and worthy of the last eight a season ago, reached the point of making up the numbers.