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There was impressive effectiveness about the way Roma dealt with this journey to Glasgow. Without much drama. The team from Italy’s capital did, however, meet favourable opposition when putting their European competition bid on the right path. Observers noted a glaring gulf in quality between Roma and a Rangers side that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven European games in a row.

To their credit, Rangers at least fought hard during a second half when surrender felt the more likely outcome. Yet, the match was settled as a contest at that stage. The Scottish club remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a club of this standing. The Giallorossi have ambitions once more on achieving significant success. Their only regret here was in not delivering a scoreline that truly reflected men against boys.

Amazingly, this marked only Roma’s second European joust with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in 1961. The previous one, against Dundee United 23 years later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a match official. Back then, teams from Scotland could vie with the top sides in the continent. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a level that will soon have huge ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s main quality up to now as the Rangers support are concerned is that he isn’t Russell Martin. The latter’s ghastly 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 dugouts witnessed a clash of generations; Röhl is 36, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

Another element was much more noticeable as the teams lined up. Rangers’ glaring lack of height against the Italians looked ominous. That concern was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder comfortably redirected a set-piece at the near post. Following up, Matías Soulé burst forward to knock his team ahead. The visitors minus the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for bluntness even with reasonable results in this campaign, were delighted with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side should have levelled matters instantly. Rather, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the Roma defence. The player’s £8m purchase from Everton has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physical attributes to be an productive striker but appears unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated first-half the ball from that point. They doubled their lead through their captain, whose curling shot into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net came after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb strike. Ibrox, usually a boisterous venue on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. Even the boos which met the interval were subdued; the home team were simply in the process of being outclassed.

The second period started against a unusual atmosphere. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions once again towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, clearly sinister in tone, showed the duo with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman thinks about the situation. Ultimately, the chairman enjoyed an anonymous career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before leading a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not turned on the owner so far but there is a rebellious feeling in the air. This is easy to understand; Rangers’ leadership is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on goal on the 60-minute mark and found only the side netting. This actually triggered Rangers’ finest spell of the match, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. Yet, however, hard to determine Roma’s continued attacking motivation until the full-back was given a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably lifted and on to the underside of the crossbar.

That was it as far as clear-cut chances were involved. The raft of changes from each side resulted in this game ended more in the style of a summer exhibition than serious contest. That scenario benefited Roma fine. It prompted reflection to ponder how on earth Rangers, runners-up in this tournament in recently and worthy of the quarter-finals a last year, arrived at the stage of making up the numbers.