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There was impressive effectiveness in the way the Italian side dealt with this trip to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. The team from Rome did, however, face manageable rivals when placing their Europa League bid back on track. There was a obvious difference in class between Roma and a Rangers squad that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven European games in a row.

Positively, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a second half when capitulation felt the more likely option. However, the game was decided as a competition at that stage. The Scottish club remain anchored at the foot of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a team of such stature. The Giallorossi have eyes once more on making proper impact. One slight disappointment here was in not delivering a result appropriately depicting men against boys.

Surprisingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second European joust with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibs in 1961. Their last such match, against Dundee United 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the bribing of a match official. In those days, Scottish clubs could vie with the top sides in the continent. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a point that will shortly have major ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute up to now as the fanbase are concerned is that he is not Russell Martin. Martin’s ghastly spell as the head coach continued for 123 days in the early part of the campaign. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential though within a tiny sample size. The technical areas witnessed a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides lined up. The home team’s glaring lack of height against the Italians looked worrying. That concern was confirmed within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder comfortably flicked on a corner at the front post. At the back, the Argentine winger burst forward to fire Roma ahead. A Roma team minus the unavailable Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with reasonable performances in the tournament, were delighted with their quick lead.

Rangers should have levelled matters instantly. Instead, the forward sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. The player’s £8m purchase from the Toffees has piled pressure on the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physical attributes to be an effective striker but seems unwilling or unable to use them.

The Italian outfit controlled opening period possession from that point. They doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will lament the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous finish. Ibrox, typically a boisterous venue on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes before the break. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were timid; Rangers were clearly in the process of being outclassed.

The second period started against a unusual backdrop. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, obviously sinister in tone, showed the duo with bullseyes on their faces. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman thinks about the situation. After all, the chairman enjoyed an anonymous life as a successful businessman in the United States before leading a acquisition of this club. Fans have not targeted the owner yet but there is a mutinous feeling in the air. This is easy to understand; 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. That moment sparked Rangers’ finest spell of the match, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. It was, however, difficult to determine Roma’s remaining offensive intent until Zeki Celik was presented with a opportunity all of a yard out which he inexplicably hit up and on to the bottom of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful opportunity were involved. The series of changes from each side meant this fixture closed more in the style of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. That scenario benefited the Italians perfectly. It prompted reflection to consider how on earth the Glasgow club, finalists in this tournament in recently and worthy of the last eight a season ago, arrived at the stage of just participating.