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There was admirable efficiency about the way Roma dealt with this journey to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Italy’s capital did, however, face manageable rivals when putting their European competition bid back on track. There was a glaring gulf in quality between Roma and a Rangers squad that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven continental matches consecutively.

Positively, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a later period when surrender felt the probable outcome. However, the game was decided as a competition by then. The Scottish club remain rooted to the foot of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a club of such stature. Roma have eyes again on achieving significant success. Their only regret here was in not delivering a scoreline appropriately depicting men against boys.

Surprisingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second continental encounter with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibs in the early 60s. The previous one, against the Terrors 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 top sides in the continent. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will shortly have major ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s main quality up to now as the fanbase are see it is that he is not his predecessor. Martin’s dismal tenure as the manager lasted 123 days in the initial phase of this season. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential though within a tiny sample size. The technical areas saw a clash of generations; Röhl is thirty-six, his opposite number the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

A further factor was far more striking as the teams took the field. Rangers’ glaring short stature against the Italians looked ominous. This point was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante comfortably redirected a set-piece at the front post. Following up, the Argentine winger burst forward to fire his team ahead. The visitors minus the unavailable Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been questioned for bluntness even with reasonable performances in this campaign, were pleased with their early advantage.

Rangers should have equalised instantly. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. The player’s £8m purchase from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physique to be an effective centre forward but seems unwilling or unable to use them.

Roma controlled opening period the ball from that point. They doubled their lead through their captain, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net came after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will bemoan the fact Pellegrini stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous finish. The stadium, typically a boisterous venue on continental evenings, had been silenced with time still remaining until halftime. Even the boos which met the interval were subdued; Rangers were clearly in the midst of being outclassed.

The second period started against a unusual backdrop. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions once again towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. A pair of displays, clearly menacing in message, showed the pair with bullseyes on their faces. One wonders what the club owner makes of all this. After all, the chairman enjoyed an low-profile career as a successful businessman in the US before fronting a acquisition of Rangers. Fans have not targeted the owner yet but there is a rebellious mood in the air. This is easy to understand; Rangers’ management is completely unconvincing.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and found only the side netting. That moment sparked Rangers’ finest spell of the match, in which their replacement the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. Yet, however, hard to gauge the visitors’ remaining attacking motivation until the full-back was presented with a chance from close range which he somehow hit up and on to the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity 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 serious contest. That scenario benefited the Italians perfectly. There was cause to ponder how exactly Rangers, runners-up in this tournament in 2022 and strong enough of the quarter-finals a season ago, reached the point of making up the numbers.