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There was admirable efficiency about the way the Italian side dealt with this journey to Glasgow. Without much drama. The team from Rome did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when putting their European competition bid back on track. There was a glaring gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers side that has now lost a team record seven continental matches in a row.

Positively, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a second half when capitulation felt the more likely option. However, the game was decided as a contest at that stage. Rangers remain rooted to the bottom of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a team of this standing. The Giallorossi have ambitions once more on making proper impact. One slight disappointment here was in not producing a result that truly reflected men against boys.

Amazingly, this marked only Roma’s second-ever European joust with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibs in the early 60s. Their last such match, against the Terrors over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a referee. Back then, Scottish clubs could vie with the top sides in the continent. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a point that will soon have major consequences.

The new manager’s key attribute up to now as the fanbase are concerned is that he is not Russell Martin. The latter’s dismal tenure as the head coach lasted 123 days in the initial phase of the campaign. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a limited timeframe. The technical areas saw a generation game; Röhl is 36, his opposite number the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the sides lined up. Rangers’ obvious lack of height against the Italians looked ominous. This point was proven within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante easily flicked on a corner at the near post. Following up, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to knock his team ahead. The visitors minus the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge despite reasonable results in this campaign, were pleased with their quick lead.

Rangers could have levelled matters instantly. Rather, the forward sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. The player’s eight-million-pound signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. 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 thereafter. They doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the far post of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. Ibrox, typically a raucous venue on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes before the break. Even the boos which met the interval were subdued; Rangers were clearly in the process of being outclassed.

After the break started against a curious atmosphere. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions once again towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, clearly menacing in message, depicted the pair with targets on their images. One wonders what the Rangers chairman makes of the situation. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an anonymous career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before fronting a acquisition of Rangers. Paying punters have not targeted the owner so far but there is a rebellious feeling around the club. It is one which is easy to understand; Rangers’ management is wholly unimpressive.

As if scripted, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the hour mark and found only the side netting. This actually triggered Rangers’ finest spell of the match, in which their substitute the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. It was, however, hard to determine Roma’s remaining offensive intent until Zeki Celik was presented with a chance all of a yard out which he inexplicably lifted and on to the bottom of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful chances were concerned. The series of substitutions from both teams meant this fixture ended more in the style of a summer exhibition than competitive match. That scenario benefited Roma fine. There was cause to consider how exactly the Glasgow club, finalists in this competition in recently and worthy of the last eight a season ago, reached the point of just participating.