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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness in the way Roma dealt with this trip to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. The team from Italy’s capital did, however, face manageable rivals when placing their European competition bid back on track. There was a glaring difference in class between Roma and a the Scottish team side that has now lost a club record seven continental matches in a row.

To their credit, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a later period when surrender felt the more likely outcome. Yet, the match was decided as a contest by then. The Scottish club remain anchored at the foot of the tournament, which should constitute an disgrace to a club of such stature. The Giallorossi have eyes again on making proper impact. Their only regret in this match was in not delivering a scoreline that truly reflected men against boys.

Surprisingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second-ever continental encounter with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in the early 60s. The previous one, against Dundee United 23 years later, became marred (to put it politely) by the corruption of a referee. Back then, Scottish clubs could vie with the best in Europe. This season has seen the co-efficient plunge to a level that will shortly have major consequences.

The new manager’s key attribute so far as the fanbase are concerned is that he is not Russell Martin. The latter’s ghastly spell as the head coach continued for just over four months in the early part of this season. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a clash of generations; Röhl is thirty-six, his opposite number the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

Another element was far more striking as the sides lined up. Rangers’ glaring short stature against the Italians looked worrying. This point was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante easily flicked on a set-piece at the front post. Following up, Matías Soulé burst forward to fire Roma in front. The visitors without the unavailable Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with decent performances in this campaign, were delighted with their quick lead.

Rangers could have levelled matters immediately. Rather, the forward sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound signing from Everton has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physique to be an productive centre forward but seems reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

Roma controlled first-half the ball from that point. Roma extended their advantage through their captain, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will bemoan the fact Pellegrini stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous finish. The stadium, typically a boisterous venue on continental evenings, had been quietened with time still remaining before the break. Even the boos which met the half-time whistle were subdued; Rangers were simply in the process of being overwhelmed.

The second period started against a unusual backdrop. Supporters directed their focus once again towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, clearly menacing in message, depicted 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 this club. Fans have not turned on the owner yet but there is a mutinous mood in the air. It is one which is unsurprising; The team’s leadership is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, the striker was sent through on the keeper on the hour mark and found only the outside of the goal. This actually triggered Rangers’ finest spell of the match, in which their substitute the young midfielder fired just wide. It was, however, difficult to gauge Roma’s remaining attacking motivation until the full-back was given a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably lifted and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut chances were involved. The series of changes from each side resulted in this fixture ended more in the style of a summer exhibition than competitive match. This of course suited Roma fine. There was cause to ponder how on earth the Glasgow club, finalists in this tournament in recently and worthy of the last eight a last year, arrived at the point of making up the numbers.