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There was impressive effectiveness in the way Roma dealt with this trip to Scotland. Without much drama. Roma from Rome did, however, face manageable rivals when putting their European competition bid back on track. Observers noted a glaring gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers squad that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven European games consecutively.

Positively, Rangers at least fought hard during a second half when capitulation felt the more likely outcome. Yet, the game was decided as a contest at that stage. Rangers remain rooted to the foot of the Europa League, which should constitute an embarrassment to a team of such stature. The Giallorossi have eyes once more on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment here was in not producing a result appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this marked only Roma’s second European joust with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup business with Hibs in the early 60s. Their last such match, against Dundee United 23 years later, became marred (to put it politely) by the bribing of a match official. In those days, Scottish clubs could vie with the top sides in the continent. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a point that will shortly have huge consequences.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute up to now as the Rangers support are concerned is that he is not his predecessor. The latter’s dismal spell as the manager lasted 123 days in the early part of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a tiny sample size. The technical areas witnessed 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 sides took the field. The home team’s obvious short stature against the visitors looked ominous. That concern was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the near post. At the back, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to fire Roma ahead. A Roma team without the unavailable Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been criticised for bluntness even with reasonable performances in this campaign, were pleased with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side should have levelled matters instantly. Rather, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. The player’s eight-million-pound purchase from the Toffees has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physical attributes to be an productive striker but appears unwilling or unable to use them.

Roma controlled opening period possession thereafter. They doubled their lead through their captain, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. The stadium, typically a boisterous place on continental evenings, had been silenced with time still remaining before the break. Even the boos which greeted the interval were subdued; Rangers were simply in the process of being overwhelmed.

After the break started against a unusual atmosphere. Those Rangers fans directed their focus once again towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, obviously menacing in tone, showed the pair with targets on their faces. It raises questions what the club owner makes of the situation. After all, the chairman enjoyed an anonymous life as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a acquisition of this club. Fans have not targeted Cavenagh yet but there is a mutinous feeling in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; The team’s management is wholly unimpressive.

As if scripted, the striker was played in on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and found only the outside of the goal. This actually triggered Rangers’ finest spell of the game, in which their substitute the young midfielder fired just wide. Yet, nonetheless, difficult to gauge the visitors’ continued offensive intent until the full-back was given a chance from close range which he inexplicably lifted and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That was it as far as meaningful chances were involved. 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 fine. It prompted reflection to ponder how exactly Rangers, finalists in this tournament in recently and worthy of the last eight a last year, reached the point of just participating.