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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness about the way the Italian side dealt with this trip to Scotland. Without much drama. The team from Rome did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when placing their Europa League bid on the right path. There was a obvious gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team side that has now lost a club record seven European games consecutively.

Positively, the home side at least fought hard during a later period when surrender felt the more likely outcome. However, the game was decided as a competition by then. The Scottish club remain rooted to the bottom of the tournament, which should represent an disgrace to a team of this standing. The Giallorossi have eyes again on making proper impact. One slight disappointment here was in not producing a scoreline appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second continental encounter with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in the early 60s. Their last such match, against the Terrors 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the corruption of a match official. In those days, Scottish clubs could vie with the best in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a level that will soon have major ramifications.

The new manager’s main quality up to now as the Rangers support are see it is that he is not Russell Martin. The latter’s dismal spell as the head coach lasted 123 days in the early part of this season. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has shown promise though within a limited timeframe. The dugouts witnessed a generation game; the Rangers boss is 36, his counterpart the Roma manager is 67.

Another element was far more striking as the sides lined up. Rangers’ obvious lack of height against the visitors looked worrying. This point was proven within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder comfortably redirected a set-piece at the near post. Following up, the Argentine winger burst forward to knock Roma in front. The visitors without the unavailable Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness despite reasonable performances in this campaign, were delighted with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side should have levelled matters immediately. Rather, the forward sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s £8m 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 seems reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit controlled opening period possession thereafter. They doubled their lead through their captain, whose curling shot into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will lament the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous finish. The stadium, typically a raucous venue on continental evenings, had been quietened with time still remaining until halftime. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were subdued; Rangers were clearly in the process of being overwhelmed.

After the break began against a curious atmosphere. Supporters turned their attentions once again towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and sporting director, the director. A pair of displays, clearly menacing in message, showed the pair with targets on their images. One wonders what the Rangers chairman makes of all this. After all, the chairman enjoyed an anonymous life as a successful businessman in the US before leading a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not targeted Cavenagh so far but there is a rebellious feeling in the air. It is one which is unsurprising; The team’s leadership is wholly unimpressive.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and found only the outside of the goal. This actually triggered Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. It was, nonetheless, difficult to gauge the visitors’ continued offensive intent until the full-back was given a chance from close range which he inexplicably hit up and onto the bottom of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were concerned. The series of changes from both teams resulted in this game ended more in the style of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. This of course suited Roma perfectly. It prompted reflection to consider how exactly Rangers, finalists in this competition in 2022 and worthy of the last eight a last year, reached the point of just participating.