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There was admirable efficiency about the way the Italian side handled this journey to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. The team from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when putting their European competition bid back on track. There was a glaring difference in class 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 huffed and puffed during a later period when capitulation felt the more likely option. Yet, the match was decided as a competition by then. The Scottish club remain anchored at the bottom of the tournament, which should constitute an embarrassment 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 delivering a scoreline appropriately depicting men against boys.

Surprisingly, this marked only Roma’s second-ever European joust with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in 1961. The previous one, against Dundee United 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a match official. In those days, Scottish clubs could compete 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 up to now as the fanbase are see it is that he is not Russell Martin. Martin’s dismal spell as the head coach lasted 123 days in the initial phase of this season. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise though within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a generation game; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the teams lined up. Rangers’ obvious lack of height against the visitors looked ominous. This point was confirmed within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder easily flicked on a set-piece at the near post. At the back, Matías Soulé burst forward to fire his team ahead. The visitors without the unavailable Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been questioned for bluntness despite decent performances in this campaign, were delighted with their quick lead.

Rangers could have levelled matters immediately. Instead, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s £8m purchase from Everton has piled pressure on the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physical attributes to be an productive striker but seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated first-half possession thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through their captain, whose bent effort into the far post of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will bemoan the fact Pellegrini was left in complete freedom but it was a superb finish. The stadium, typically a raucous place on continental evenings, had been quietened with time still remaining before the break. The discontent which greeted the half-time whistle were subdued; Rangers were clearly in the process of being outclassed.

After the break started against a curious backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, clearly menacing in message, depicted the duo with targets on their faces. One wonders what the Rangers chairman makes of the situation. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an low-profile life as a successful businessman in the US before leading a acquisition of this club. Paying punters have not targeted Cavenagh so far but there is a mutinous feeling in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; The team’s leadership is completely unimpressive.

Right on cue, Chermiti was sent through on the keeper on the hour mark and found only the outside of the goal. This actually triggered Rangers’ finest spell of the game, in which their substitute the young midfielder fired just wide. Yet, however, difficult to determine the visitors’ continued offensive intent until the full-back was given a chance from close range which he somehow hit up and onto the underside of the bar.

That was it as far as meaningful chances were concerned. The series of substitutions from both teams meant this fixture closed more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than competitive match. This of course suited Roma perfectly. It prompted reflection to ponder how on earth the Glasgow club, finalists in this competition in 2022 and strong enough of the quarter-finals a season ago, reached the point of just participating.