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There was admirable efficiency about the way the Italian side handled this trip to Scotland. Without much drama. Roma from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when putting their European competition bid back on track. There was a obvious gulf in quality between Roma and a Rangers side that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven European games consecutively.

To their credit, the home side at least fought hard during a second half when surrender felt the probable option. Yet, the game was settled as a contest by then. Rangers remain rooted to the bottom of the Europa League, which should constitute an disgrace to a club of such stature. Roma have eyes once more on making proper impact. One slight disappointment here was in not producing a scoreline appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second-ever continental encounter with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibs in the early 60s. The previous one, against the Terrors over two decades later, became marred (to put it politely) by the corruption of a referee. In those days, Scottish clubs could vie with the best in the continent. The current campaign has seen the co-efficient drop to a level 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 Russell Martin. The latter’s dismal spell as the manager continued for just over four months in the early part of the campaign. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The technical areas saw a generation game; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the sides took the field. Rangers’ glaring lack of height against the visitors looked ominous. This point was confirmed within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante comfortably redirected a set-piece at the front post. At the back, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to knock his team in front. The visitors without the unavailable Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge despite decent results in the tournament, were delighted with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side should have levelled matters instantly. Instead, the forward screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound purchase from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physical attributes to be an effective striker but seems reluctant or incapable to use them.

Roma controlled first-half possession thereafter. Roma doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will bemoan the fact Pellegrini was left in complete freedom but it was a superb strike. The stadium, usually a raucous place on continental evenings, had been silenced with time still remaining until halftime. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were timid; Rangers were clearly in the midst of being overwhelmed.

After the break started against a curious backdrop. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. A pair of displays, obviously menacing in tone, showed the pair with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman thinks about all this. After all, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before leading a takeover of Rangers. Fans have not turned on Cavenagh yet but there is a rebellious feeling around the club. This is unsurprising; The team’s management is wholly unimpressive.

As if scripted, the striker was sent through on goal on the hour mark and hit the outside of the goal. This actually triggered the home side’s best period of the match, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. Yet, nonetheless, hard to determine Roma’s remaining attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was given a chance from close range which he somehow lifted and onto the bottom of the bar.

That was it as far as clear-cut chances were concerned. The series of substitutions from each side resulted in this fixture closed more in the style of a summer exhibition than competitive match. That scenario benefited Roma perfectly. There was cause to consider how on earth the Glasgow club, finalists in this tournament in recently and worthy of the last eight a last year, reached the point of just participating.