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There was impressive effectiveness in the way the Italian side handled this journey to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. The team from Italy’s capital did, however, face manageable rivals when placing their Europa League bid on the right path. There was a obvious difference in class between Roma and a Rangers side that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven continental matches consecutively.

Positively, Rangers at least fought hard during a second half when capitulation felt the more likely option. Yet, the game was decided as a competition at that stage. The Scottish club remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should constitute an embarrassment to a team of such stature. Roma have ambitions once more on making proper impact. Their only regret in this match was in not delivering a result that truly reflected men against boys.

Surprisingly, this marked only Roma’s second continental encounter with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in the early 60s. The previous one, against the Terrors over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the bribing of a referee. Back then, Scottish clubs could compete with the best in the continent. The current campaign has seen the co-efficient plunge to a level that will soon have major ramifications.

The new manager’s main quality up to now as the Rangers support are concerned is that he is not Russell Martin. Martin’s dismal spell as the head coach lasted just over four months in the early part of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a limited timeframe. The technical areas witnessed a generation game; Röhl is 36, his opposite number the Roma manager is 67.

A further factor was far more striking as the teams lined up. Rangers’ glaring lack of height against the Italians looked worrying. This point was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante comfortably redirected a corner at the front post. At the back, Matías Soulé burst forward to knock his team in front. The visitors minus the injured their young striker and their star attacker, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge despite reasonable performances in the tournament, were delighted with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side could have levelled matters instantly. Rather, the forward screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. The player’s £8m signing from Everton has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an effective centre forward 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 came after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will lament the fact Pellegrini was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb strike. Ibrox, usually a raucous venue on European nights, had been silenced nine minutes until halftime. The discontent which met the interval were subdued; the home team were simply in the process of being overwhelmed.

The second period began against a curious atmosphere. Those Rangers fans directed their focus for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, obviously menacing in message, depicted the pair with bullseyes on their faces. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about all this. After all, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an anonymous career as a successful businessman in the US before fronting a takeover of Rangers. Fans have not targeted Cavenagh yet but there is a rebellious mood in the air. It is one which is unsurprising; Rangers’ leadership is completely unconvincing.

Right on cue, Chermiti was sent through on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and found only the side netting. That moment sparked Rangers’ finest spell of the match, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. Yet, nonetheless, hard to gauge Roma’s continued offensive intent until the full-back was given a opportunity from close range which he somehow lifted and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That was it as far as meaningful chances were involved. The series of substitutions from each side resulted in this fixture closed more in the style of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. This of course suited the Italians fine. It prompted reflection to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, runners-up in this tournament in 2022 and worthy of the last eight a season ago, arrived at the point of making up the numbers.