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There was admirable efficiency about the way Roma handled this trip to Scotland. Without much drama. The team from Rome did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when putting their European competition bid on the right path. There was a obvious gulf in quality between Roma and a the Scottish team squad that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven European games consecutively.

To their credit, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a second half when capitulation felt the more likely option. However, the match was decided as a contest at that stage. Rangers remain rooted to the bottom of the tournament, which should represent an embarrassment to a club of this standing. Roma have ambitions once more on making proper impact. One slight disappointment here was in not delivering a result appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this represented only Roma’s second continental encounter with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in the early 60s. Their last such match, against Dundee United over two decades later, became marred (to put it politely) by the bribing of a referee. In those days, Scottish clubs could compete with the top sides in the continent. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will soon have huge ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s main quality up to now as the Rangers support are see it is that he is not Russell Martin. The latter’s dismal spell as the head coach continued for just over four months 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 technical areas saw a generation game; the Rangers boss is 36, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides took the field. Rangers’ glaring short stature against the Italians looked ominous. That concern was confirmed within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder easily redirected a corner at the near post. Following up, Matías Soulé burst forward to fire his team in front. The visitors without the injured Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge despite reasonable performances in the tournament, were delighted with their quick lead.

Rangers could have levelled matters instantly. Instead, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound purchase from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physique to be an effective striker but seems reluctant or incapable to use them.

The Italian outfit controlled first-half the ball thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will lament the fact the midfielder was left in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, typically a raucous venue on European nights, had been quietened nine minutes before the break. Even the boos which met the interval were subdued; the home team were simply in the midst of being outclassed.

The second period began against a unusual atmosphere. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions once again towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, obviously sinister in tone, depicted the pair with targets on their faces. It raises questions what the club owner makes of all this. After all, the chairman had an anonymous life as a successful businessman in the US before fronting a acquisition of Rangers. Fans have not turned on Cavenagh so far but there is a mutinous feeling around the club. It is one which is easy to understand; Rangers’ management is wholly unconvincing.

As if scripted, Chermiti was played in on the keeper on the hour mark and hit the outside of the goal. This actually triggered Rangers’ finest spell of the match, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. It was, however, hard to gauge the visitors’ remaining offensive intent until Zeki Celik was given a opportunity all of a yard out which he inexplicably hit up and on to the underside of the bar.

That was it as far as meaningful chances were involved. The raft of changes from each side resulted in this game ended more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. That scenario benefited Roma perfectly. There was cause to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, finalists in this tournament in recently and strong enough of the last eight a season ago, reached the stage of making up the numbers.