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There was admirable efficiency about the way Roma handled this trip to Scotland. Without much drama. Roma from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when placing their European competition bid back on track. Observers noted a glaring difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team squad that has now lost a club record seven European games consecutively.

To their credit, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a second half when capitulation felt the more likely outcome. However, the match was settled as a competition at that stage. The Scottish club remain anchored at the foot of the tournament, which should represent an disgrace to a club of this standing. Roma have ambitions again on making proper impact. One slight disappointment in this match was in not delivering a result that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this represented only Roma’s second European joust with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in 1961. Their last such match, against the Terrors over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a match official. In those days, Scottish clubs could vie with the top sides in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a level that will soon have major consequences.

The new manager’s key attribute up to now as the fanbase are concerned is that he is not his predecessor. The latter’s ghastly spell as the head coach lasted 123 days in the initial phase of the campaign. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The technical areas saw a clash of generations; Röhl is 36, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

Another element was far more striking as the sides took the field. The home team’s glaring lack of height against the Italians looked ominous. That concern was proven within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder comfortably redirected a corner at the front post. Following up, the Argentine winger burst forward to fire his team ahead. The visitors without the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge despite reasonable performances in this campaign, were delighted with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side could have equalised immediately. Instead, the forward screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an effective centre forward but appears unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated opening period possession from that point. They extended their advantage through their captain, whose bent effort into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net came after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will lament the fact the midfielder was left in complete freedom but it was a superb strike. 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 timid; Rangers were simply in the process of being overwhelmed.

After the break began against a unusual backdrop. Those Rangers fans directed their focus once again towards the top executive, the CEO, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, clearly menacing in tone, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their faces. One wonders what the club owner thinks about the situation. After all, the chairman had an anonymous life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before fronting a acquisition of Rangers. Fans have not targeted Cavenagh yet but there is a rebellious feeling around the club. This is unsurprising; The team’s management is completely unimpressive.

Right on cue, the striker was played in on goal on the hour mark and found only the side netting. That moment sparked Rangers’ finest spell of the game, in which their replacement the young midfielder fired just wide. It was, however, hard to gauge Roma’s continued attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was presented with a opportunity all of a yard out which he somehow hit up and on to the underside of the bar.

That was it as far as clear-cut chances were involved. The series of substitutions from each side meant this game closed more in the style of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. This of course suited Roma perfectly. It prompted reflection to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, finalists in this tournament in recently and strong enough of the quarter-finals a last year, arrived at the point of just participating.