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There was admirable efficiency in the way Roma dealt with this trip to Glasgow. Without much drama. Roma from Rome did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when placing their European competition bid on the right path. Observers noted a obvious gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers side that has now lost a club record seven European games consecutively.

To their credit, Rangers at least fought hard during a later period when surrender felt the more likely outcome. However, the match was decided as a competition by then. Rangers remain rooted to the bottom of the Europa League, which should constitute an disgrace to a team of such stature. Roma have eyes once more on making proper impact. Their only regret in this match was in not producing a result appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this marked only Roma’s second-ever European joust with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in 1961. The previous one, against the Terrors 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the bribing of a referee. Back then, teams from Scotland could vie with the best in the continent. This season has seen the co-efficient plunge to a point that will soon have huge consequences.

The new manager’s main quality so far as the fanbase are concerned is that he isn’t his predecessor. The latter’s dismal spell as the manager lasted 123 days in the early part of this season. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has shown promise though within a limited timeframe. The dugouts witnessed a generation game; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his counterpart the Roma manager is 67.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the teams lined up. Rangers’ obvious lack of height against the visitors looked ominous. That concern was proven within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante easily flicked on a set-piece at the front post. At the back, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to knock Roma in front. A Roma team without the unavailable Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness despite reasonable results in this campaign, were pleased with their early advantage.

Rangers should have levelled matters instantly. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the Roma defence. The player’s £8m signing from Everton has piled pressure on the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an effective centre forward but appears reluctant or incapable to use them.

Roma controlled opening period possession thereafter. They doubled their lead through their captain, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will lament the fact Pellegrini was left in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous finish. The stadium, typically a raucous venue on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes before the break. Even the boos which greeted the half-time whistle were subdued; Rangers were simply in the process of being overwhelmed.

After the break began against a curious atmosphere. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, clearly sinister in message, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their faces. One wonders what the Rangers chairman makes of the situation. After all, the chairman enjoyed an low-profile life as a successful businessman in the US before leading a acquisition of Rangers. Paying punters have not targeted the owner yet but there is a mutinous mood around the club. This is easy to understand; Rangers’ management is wholly unconvincing.

As if scripted, the striker was played in on goal on the 60-minute mark and found only the side netting. This actually triggered the home side’s finest spell of the game, in which their replacement the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. Yet, however, difficult to determine Roma’s continued offensive intent until Zeki Celik was presented with a opportunity all of a yard out which he inexplicably lifted and on to the underside of the crossbar.

That was it as far as clear-cut chances were involved. The series of changes from both teams resulted in this fixture closed more in the style of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. This of course suited the Italians fine. It prompted reflection to ponder how on earth the Glasgow club, runners-up in this tournament in recently and worthy of the last eight a season ago, reached the stage of making up the numbers.