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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness about the way the Italian side handled this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. Roma from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when placing their Europa League bid on the right path. There was a obvious difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers side that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven European games in a row.

Positively, Rangers at least fought hard during a later period when capitulation felt the more likely option. However, the game was settled as a contest by then. The Scottish club remain anchored at the bottom of the tournament, which should represent an disgrace to a club of such stature. The Giallorossi have ambitions again on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment in this match was in not producing a result appropriately depicting men against boys.

Amazingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second-ever continental encounter with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibs in 1961. Their last such match, against Dundee United over two decades later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a referee. In those days, Scottish clubs could compete with the best in the continent. This season has seen the co-efficient drop to a level that will soon have major ramifications.

The new manager’s main quality so far as the fanbase are see it is that he is not his predecessor. Martin’s dismal tenure as the manager lasted 123 days in the initial phase of this season. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise though within a limited timeframe. The technical areas witnessed a generation game; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

Another element was far more striking as the teams lined up. The home team’s glaring lack of height against the visitors looked worrying. That concern was proven within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder easily redirected a corner at the near post. Following up, the Argentine winger burst forward to knock his team ahead. The visitors minus the unavailable Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with reasonable 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 visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s £8m signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physical attributes to be an productive centre forward but appears reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit dominated first-half the ball from that point. Roma doubled their lead through their captain, whose curling shot into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will lament the fact the midfielder stood in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. Ibrox, usually a boisterous venue on continental evenings, had been quietened with time still remaining until halftime. Even the boos which met the interval were timid; the home team were clearly in the midst of being overwhelmed.

After the break began against a unusual backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions once again towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, the director. A pair of displays, clearly menacing in tone, showed the pair with targets on their images. One wonders what the club owner thinks about all this. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile career as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a acquisition of this club. Paying punters have not targeted Cavenagh so far but there is a mutinous feeling in the air. This is unsurprising; The team’s management is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, the striker was sent through on goal on the hour mark and found only the side netting. This actually triggered Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. Yet, nonetheless, difficult to determine the visitors’ remaining offensive intent until the full-back was given a opportunity from close range which he somehow lifted and on to the underside of the crossbar.

That was it as far as meaningful chances were involved. The series of substitutions from both teams meant this game ended more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. This of course suited Roma perfectly. There was cause to ponder how exactly Rangers, finalists in this competition in 2022 and worthy of the last eight a season ago, arrived at the stage of making up the numbers.