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There was impressive effectiveness in the way Roma handled this trip to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when placing their Europa League bid on the right path. Observers noted a glaring difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team side that has now lost a club record seven continental matches in a row.

Positively, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a second half when surrender felt the probable option. Yet, the match was decided as a contest at that stage. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should represent an embarrassment to a team of this standing. Roma have ambitions once more on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment in this match was in not producing a result that truly reflected men against boys.

Amazingly, this marked only Roma’s second-ever European joust with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in the early 60s. Their last such match, against the Terrors 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a referee. In those days, Scottish clubs could compete with the top sides in Europe. This season has seen the co-efficient drop to a point that will shortly have huge ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s main quality up to now as the Rangers support are concerned is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s dismal spell as the head coach continued for 123 days in the initial phase of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a tiny sample size. The technical areas saw a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is 36, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

Another element was far more striking as the teams took the field. Rangers’ glaring lack of height against the Italians looked ominous. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the front post. Following up, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to fire Roma ahead. The visitors minus the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness even with reasonable results in this campaign, were pleased with their quick lead.

Rangers should have equalised instantly. Rather, the forward screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. The player’s eight-million-pound purchase from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physical attributes to be an productive centre forward but appears unwilling or unable to use them.

The Italian outfit controlled first-half possession from that point. They extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will lament the fact Pellegrini was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb strike. The stadium, typically a boisterous venue on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. Even the boos which met the interval were subdued; Rangers were clearly in the midst of being outclassed.

The second period began against a curious atmosphere. Supporters turned their attentions once again towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously menacing in tone, showed the duo with bullseyes on their faces. It raises questions what the club owner makes of all this. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an anonymous life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before fronting a takeover of Rangers. Fans have not turned on the owner yet but there is a mutinous mood around the club. It is one which is easy to understand; Rangers’ leadership is completely unimpressive.

As if scripted, the striker was sent through on goal on the hour mark and found only the side netting. That moment sparked the home side’s best period of the match, in which their substitute the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. It was, however, hard to determine Roma’s remaining offensive intent until the full-back was given a chance from close range which he somehow hit up and on to the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful opportunity were involved. The series of changes from each side meant this fixture ended more in the style of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. That scenario benefited Roma perfectly. There was cause to ponder how exactly Rangers, finalists in this tournament in recently and strong enough of the quarter-finals a last year, reached the stage of making up the numbers.