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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness about the way the Italian side handled this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. The team from Italy’s capital 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 side that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven continental matches consecutively.

To their credit, Rangers at least fought hard during a second half when surrender felt the more likely option. Yet, the match was decided as a contest by then. The Scottish club remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a club of such stature. Roma have eyes again 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 continental encounter with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup business with Hibs in 1961. The previous one, against the Terrors over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the bribing of a match official. In those days, teams from Scotland could compete with the best in the continent. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will shortly have major ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he is not Russell Martin. The latter’s ghastly spell as the manager continued for 123 days in the early part of this season. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The technical areas saw a generation game; Röhl is 36, his counterpart the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

Another element was much more noticeable as the teams lined up. Rangers’ obvious lack of height against the Italians looked ominous. This point was confirmed within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder comfortably redirected a set-piece at the front post. Following up, the Argentine winger burst forward to knock his team in front. A Roma team without the injured Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for bluntness even with reasonable performances in the tournament, were delighted with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side could have equalised instantly. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s £8m purchase from Everton has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physique to be an productive striker but appears unwilling or unable to use them.

Roma dominated first-half possession from that point. They extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will lament the fact the midfielder was left in complete freedom but it was a superb finish. Ibrox, usually a boisterous place on European nights, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. Even the boos which greeted the interval were subdued; Rangers were simply in the process of being outclassed.

The second period began against a curious atmosphere. Those Rangers fans directed their focus for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, obviously menacing in tone, showed the pair with targets on their images. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman thinks about all this. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh had an anonymous life as a successful businessman in the United States before leading a acquisition of Rangers. Fans have not turned on Cavenagh yet but there is a rebellious feeling around the club. It is one which is unsurprising; Rangers’ management is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, the striker was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and found only the side netting. This actually triggered Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. It was, however, difficult to gauge Roma’s continued offensive intent until the full-back was given a opportunity all of a yard out which he somehow hit up and on to the underside of the crossbar.

That was it as far as meaningful opportunity were involved. The raft of substitutions from both teams resulted in this fixture ended more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. That scenario benefited Roma perfectly. There was cause to ponder how on earth Rangers, finalists in this competition in 2022 and worthy of the quarter-finals a season ago, reached the point of just participating.