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There was impressive effectiveness in the way the Italian side dealt with this journey to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Italy’s capital did, however, meet favourable opposition when putting their European competition bid back on track. There was a glaring gulf in quality between Roma and a Rangers side that has now lost a team record seven European games consecutively.

To their credit, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a second half when capitulation felt the probable outcome. Yet, the match was settled as a competition by then. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the tournament, which should constitute an embarrassment to a club of such stature. Roma have ambitions again on achieving significant success. Their only regret in this match was in not delivering a scoreline appropriately depicting men against boys.

Surprisingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second European joust with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup fixtures 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. Back then, teams from Scotland could compete with the best in the continent. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a point that will shortly have major consequences.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute up to now as the Rangers support are concerned is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s dismal tenure as the manager continued for 123 days in the early part of this season. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a clash of generations; Röhl is 36, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

Another element was far more striking as the sides took the field. Rangers’ glaring lack of height against the visitors looked ominous. That concern was proven within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder easily redirected a set-piece at the near post. At the back, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to fire Roma ahead. The visitors minus the injured Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge despite reasonable performances in this campaign, were pleased with their quick lead.

Rangers should have equalised instantly. Instead, the forward sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the Roma defence. The player’s eight-million-pound purchase from the Toffees has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physique to be an productive centre forward but seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit controlled opening period the ball from that point. Roma extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will lament the fact Pellegrini stood in complete freedom but it was a superb finish. The stadium, typically a boisterous place on continental evenings, had been quietened with time still remaining until halftime. The discontent which met the interval were subdued; the home team were clearly in the process of being outclassed.

The second period began against a unusual backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions once again towards the top executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously menacing in tone, depicted the pair with bullseyes on their faces. One wonders what the club owner makes of all this. After all, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an low-profile career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before leading a takeover of Rangers. Fans have not turned on Cavenagh yet but there is a mutinous mood around the club. It is one which is easy to understand; Rangers’ management is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, the striker was played in on goal on the hour mark and hit the outside of the goal. That moment sparked Rangers’ finest spell of the game, in which their replacement the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. It was, however, difficult to gauge Roma’s remaining attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was presented with a chance from close range which he somehow lifted and on to the underside of the bar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were concerned. The series of changes from both teams meant this game closed more in the style of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. That scenario benefited the Italians fine. There was cause to ponder how on earth Rangers, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and strong enough of the last eight a last year, reached the point of making up the numbers.