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There was impressive effectiveness in the way the Italian side handled this trip to Glasgow. Without much drama. The team from Italy’s capital did, however, face manageable rivals when placing their European competition bid back on track. There was a glaring difference in class between Roma and a Rangers squad that has now lost a team record seven continental matches consecutively.

Positively, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a second half when surrender felt the probable outcome. Yet, the match was decided as a contest by then. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a club of this standing. The Giallorossi have eyes once more on making proper impact. Their only regret here was in not producing a scoreline that truly reflected men against boys.

Amazingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second continental encounter with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in the early 60s. Their last such match, against Dundee United 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a match official. In those days, teams from Scotland could vie with the best in Europe. This season has seen the co-efficient drop to a point that will shortly have huge ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are concerned is that he isn’t Russell Martin. Martin’s ghastly spell as the manager continued for 123 days in the early part of the campaign. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The technical areas witnessed a clash of generations; Röhl is thirty-six, his opposite number the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides lined up. The home team’s glaring short stature against the visitors looked worrying. This point was proven within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the near post. At the back, Matías Soulé burst forward to knock his team ahead. A Roma team without the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge even with decent results in the tournament, were delighted with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side could have equalised immediately. Instead, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. The player’s £8m purchase from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physique to be an effective centre forward but seems unwilling or unable to use them.

Roma dominated opening period possession from that point. Roma extended their advantage through their captain, whose bent effort into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a superb finish. Ibrox, usually a boisterous venue on European nights, had been quietened with time still remaining before the break. Even the boos which met the half-time whistle were timid; Rangers were clearly in the midst of being overwhelmed.

After the break started against a unusual atmosphere. Those Rangers fans directed their focus for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously sinister 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 career as a successful businessman in the US before leading a takeover of this club. Fans have not targeted the owner so far but there is a mutinous mood in the air. It is one which is unsurprising; Rangers’ management is completely unimpressive.

Right on cue, the striker was sent through on the keeper on the hour mark and hit the side netting. This actually triggered the home side’s best period of the match, in which their substitute the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. Yet, however, hard to gauge Roma’s continued attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was presented with a opportunity all of a yard out which he somehow lifted and onto the underside of the bar.

That was it as far as meaningful chances were concerned. The series of changes from both teams resulted in this game closed more in the style of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. This of course suited the Italians perfectly. There was cause to consider how exactly Rangers, finalists in this competition in recently and worthy of the last eight a last year, reached the point of just participating.