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There was admirable efficiency in the way the Italian side handled this trip to Scotland. Without much drama. The team from Rome did, however, meet favourable opposition when putting their European competition bid back on track. Observers noted a glaring difference in class between Roma and a the Scottish team side that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven European games consecutively.

Positively, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a second half when capitulation felt the probable outcome. However, the game was settled as a competition by then. Rangers remain rooted to the foot of the Europa League, which should represent an embarrassment to a team of such stature. Roma have eyes again on making proper impact. One slight disappointment here was in not delivering a result that truly reflected men against boys.

Amazingly, this represented only Roma’s second European joust with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in the early 60s. The previous one, against Dundee United over two decades later, became marred (to put it politely) by the bribing of a referee. Back then, teams from Scotland could compete with the best in the continent. This season has seen the co-efficient plunge to a point that will soon have major consequences.

The new manager’s main quality so far as the Rangers support are concerned is that he isn’t Russell Martin. Martin’s dismal spell as the manager lasted 123 days in the initial phase of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has shown promise though within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a generation game; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his counterpart the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides lined up. The home team’s obvious lack of height against the Italians looked ominous. This point was proven within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder comfortably redirected a corner at the near post. At the back, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to knock Roma ahead. The visitors without the unavailable Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with decent performances in this campaign, were delighted with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side should have equalised immediately. Instead, the forward screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound purchase from Everton has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an effective striker but appears unwilling or unable to use them.

The Italian outfit controlled opening period possession from that point. Roma extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, typically a raucous venue on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were timid; Rangers were simply in the process of being overwhelmed.

The second period began against a curious atmosphere. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions once again towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, obviously sinister in tone, depicted the pair with targets on their images. One wonders what the club owner makes of the situation. Ultimately, the chairman enjoyed an anonymous career as a successful businessman in the US before fronting a acquisition of this club. Paying punters have not targeted Cavenagh yet but there is a rebellious feeling around the club. It is one which is unsurprising; Rangers’ leadership is wholly unimpressive.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on the keeper on the hour mark and hit the side netting. This actually triggered the home side’s best period of the match, in which their replacement the young midfielder fired just wide. Yet, nonetheless, hard to determine the visitors’ continued offensive intent until Zeki Celik was given a chance all of a yard out which he inexplicably hit up and on to the underside of the bar.

That was it as far as meaningful chances were concerned. The raft of changes from each side meant this fixture ended more in the style of a summer exhibition than competitive match. That scenario benefited the Italians perfectly. There was cause to ponder how on earth Rangers, runners-up in this competition in 2022 and worthy of the quarter-finals a season ago, arrived at the point of just participating.