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There was impressive effectiveness in the way the Italian side handled this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. Roma from Rome did, however, face manageable rivals when putting their Europa League bid back on track. There was a glaring difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers squad that has now lost a team record seven European games consecutively.

Positively, the home side at least fought hard during a later period when surrender felt the probable outcome. However, the match was decided as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a team of this standing. The Giallorossi have ambitions once more on making proper impact. One slight disappointment in this match was in not producing a result appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second-ever European joust with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in 1961. Their last such match, against the Terrors over two decades later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a referee. Back then, teams from Scotland could vie with the best in the continent. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will soon have major ramifications.

The new manager’s main quality so far as the Rangers support 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 recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a limited timeframe. The dugouts witnessed a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his opposite number the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

Another element was much more noticeable as the teams lined up. The home team’s obvious lack of height against the visitors looked ominous. That concern was confirmed within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante comfortably redirected a corner at the near post. Following up, the Argentine winger burst forward to knock his team in front. A Roma team minus the injured Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been questioned for bluntness despite reasonable results in the tournament, were pleased with their early advantage.

Rangers should have equalised immediately. Instead, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. The player’s £8m signing from the Toffees has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an effective centre forward but appears reluctant or incapable to use them.

The Italian outfit dominated opening period possession thereafter. They extended their advantage through their captain, whose bent effort into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a superb finish. The stadium, usually a boisterous place on continental evenings, had been silenced nine minutes until halftime. Even the boos which met the half-time whistle were subdued; the home team were simply in the midst of being overwhelmed.

After the break started against a curious backdrop. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously menacing in message, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their faces. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman makes of the situation. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an low-profile career as a successful businessman in the United States before leading a takeover of this club. Fans have not turned on the owner yet but there is a mutinous mood around the club. This is easy to understand; Rangers’ leadership is completely unconvincing.

As if scripted, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the hour mark and found only the side netting. This actually triggered Rangers’ finest spell of the match, in which their substitute the young midfielder fired just wide. Yet, however, hard to gauge the visitors’ continued offensive intent until the full-back was presented with a opportunity from close range which he somehow lifted and on to the bottom of the bar.

That was it as far as clear-cut opportunity were concerned. The series of changes from both teams meant this game ended more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. That scenario benefited the Italians fine. It prompted reflection to ponder how exactly Rangers, runners-up in this competition in recently and strong enough of the quarter-finals a last year, reached the stage of making up the numbers.