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There was impressive effectiveness about the way the Italian side handled this trip to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. The team 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 the Serie A outfit and a Rangers side that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven European games in a row.

To their credit, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a second half when surrender felt the more likely outcome. Yet, the match was decided as a competition by then. Rangers remain rooted to the bottom of the Europa League, which should represent an embarrassment to a team of this standing. The Giallorossi have ambitions once more on achieving significant success. Their only regret here was in not producing a result appropriately depicting men against boys.

Surprisingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second-ever European joust with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in the early 60s. The previous one, against Dundee United 23 years later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a match official. In those days, Scottish clubs could vie with the best in Europe. The current campaign has seen the co-efficient drop to a point that will soon have huge consequences.

The new manager’s key attribute up to now as the Rangers support are concerned is that he isn’t his predecessor. The latter’s dismal tenure as the manager continued for just over four months in the initial phase of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a clash of generations; Röhl is thirty-six, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

Another element was far more striking as the sides lined up. The home team’s obvious lack of height against the visitors looked worrying. This point was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the front post. At the back, the Argentine winger burst forward to fire his team in front. The visitors minus the injured Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with decent performances in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side should have equalised immediately. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s £8m signing from the Toffees has piled pressure on the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physique to be an productive striker but appears unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit dominated opening period possession thereafter. They extended their advantage through their captain, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will lament the fact Pellegrini was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb strike. Ibrox, typically a boisterous venue on European nights, had been quietened with time still remaining before the break. Even the boos which met the half-time whistle were timid; the home team were simply in the process of being outclassed.

The second period started against a curious atmosphere. Supporters directed their focus once again towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. A pair of displays, clearly sinister in message, showed the pair with targets on their images. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about all this. After all, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile career as a successful businessman in the US before fronting a takeover of Rangers. Fans have not targeted the owner yet but there is a mutinous feeling around the club. It is one which is easy to understand; Rangers’ leadership is completely unimpressive.

As if scripted, Chermiti was played in on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and hit the outside of the goal. This actually triggered the home side’s finest spell of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. It was, however, hard to gauge Roma’s remaining attacking motivation until the full-back was presented with a chance all of a yard out which he inexplicably lifted and onto the underside of the bar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful opportunity were involved. The series of changes from each side meant this fixture ended more in the style of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. That scenario benefited the Italians fine. It prompted reflection to ponder how on earth the Glasgow club, finalists in this competition in recently and strong enough of the last eight a last year, reached the stage of just participating.