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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness in the way Roma handled this journey to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. The team from Italy’s capital did, however, meet favourable opposition when putting their Europa League bid back on track. Observers noted a obvious difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team side that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven continental matches in a row.

Positively, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a later period when surrender felt the probable outcome. However, the game was settled as a competition by then. The Scottish club remain rooted to the foot of the tournament, which should constitute an embarrassment to a team of this standing. The Giallorossi have eyes once more on making proper impact. One slight disappointment here was in not producing a result that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second-ever European joust with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in 1961. The previous one, against Dundee United over two decades later, became marred (to put it politely) by the bribing of a referee. Back then, Scottish clubs could vie with the best in Europe. The current campaign has seen the co-efficient drop to a point that will shortly have major ramifications.

The new manager’s key attribute so far as the fanbase are see it is that he is not his predecessor. Martin’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 displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The technical areas witnessed a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is 36, his counterpart the Roma manager is 67.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the sides lined up. The home team’s glaring lack of height against the Italians looked worrying. This point was confirmed within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder easily flicked on a set-piece at the front post. At the back, Matías Soulé burst forward to fire his team in front. A Roma team without the unavailable Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been criticised for bluntness even with decent performances in this campaign, were delighted with their quick lead.

Rangers could have levelled matters immediately. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. The player’s £8m signing from the Toffees has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physique to be an productive centre forward but appears unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit controlled opening period the ball from that point. They doubled their lead through their captain, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net came after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will lament the fact the midfielder was left in complete freedom but it was a superb strike. Ibrox, usually a boisterous venue on continental evenings, had been silenced nine minutes before the break. Even the boos which greeted the half-time whistle were timid; the home team were simply in the process of being outclassed.

After the break started against a curious backdrop. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions once again towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, the director. Two banners, obviously menacing in message, showed the pair with targets on their faces. It raises questions what the club owner makes of all this. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile career as a successful businessman in the US before fronting a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not turned on Cavenagh yet but there is a rebellious mood in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; The team’s leadership is completely unimpressive.

As if scripted, Chermiti was played in on goal on the 60-minute mark and found only the side netting. That moment sparked the home side’s finest spell of the match, in which their substitute the young midfielder fired just wide. Yet, however, hard to gauge Roma’s remaining offensive intent until Zeki Celik was presented with a opportunity all of a yard out which he somehow hit up and on to the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were involved. The raft of changes from both teams meant this fixture ended more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than serious contest. That scenario benefited the Italians perfectly. There was cause to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in recently and strong enough of the quarter-finals a last year, reached the point of just participating.