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There was impressive effectiveness in the way Roma handled this trip to Scotland. Without much drama. The team from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when placing their European competition bid back on track. There was a obvious gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team squad that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven continental matches in a row.

Positively, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a later period when surrender felt the more likely outcome. Yet, the match was settled as a competition by then. The Scottish club remain anchored at the foot of the Europa League, which should constitute an disgrace to a team of this standing. The Giallorossi have ambitions once more on making proper impact. Their only regret here was in not producing a result appropriately depicting men against boys.

Surprisingly, this marked only Roma’s second European joust with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in 1961. The previous one, against the Terrors over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a referee. In those days, Scottish clubs could compete with the best in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will soon have huge ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s main quality so far as the Rangers support are concerned is that he is not his predecessor. The latter’s ghastly tenure as the manager continued for just over four months in the initial phase of the campaign. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The dugouts witnessed a clash of generations; Röhl is 36, his counterpart the Roma manager is 67.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides lined up. The home team’s obvious short stature against the Italians looked ominous. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante comfortably redirected a corner at the near post. At the back, Matías Soulé burst forward to knock Roma in front. The visitors minus the unavailable Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge even with decent performances in the tournament, were pleased with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side could have levelled matters immediately. Instead, the forward sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physical attributes to be an effective centre forward but appears unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma controlled opening period possession thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will bemoan the fact Pellegrini stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, typically a raucous venue on European nights, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. The discontent which greeted the half-time whistle were timid; Rangers were clearly in the process of being outclassed.

The second period began against a curious backdrop. Those Rangers fans directed their focus once again towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously menacing in tone, depicted the pair with bullseyes on their faces. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman thinks about the situation. After all, the chairman had an low-profile career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before fronting a acquisition of this club. Fans have not turned on Cavenagh yet but there is a rebellious feeling in the air. This is easy to understand; Rangers’ leadership is wholly unimpressive.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on the keeper on the hour mark and hit the outside of the goal. That moment sparked Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. Yet, however, difficult to determine the visitors’ continued offensive intent until Zeki Celik was given a opportunity from close range which he somehow lifted and onto the bottom of the crossbar.

That was it as far as meaningful chances were concerned. The raft of changes from each side meant this game closed more in the style of a summer exhibition than competitive match. That scenario benefited Roma perfectly. It prompted reflection to ponder how exactly Rangers, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and worthy of the quarter-finals a season ago, arrived at the stage of just participating.