Matías Soulé along with Lorenzo Pellegrini find the net as Roma overpower Rangers

There was admirable efficiency in the way Roma dealt with this journey to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Italy’s capital 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 the Scottish team squad that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven continental matches consecutively.

To their credit, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a later period when surrender felt the probable option. However, the match was decided as a contest at that stage. The Scottish club remain anchored at the foot of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a team of this standing. The Giallorossi have eyes again on making proper impact. Their only regret here was in not producing a result appropriately depicting men against boys.

Amazingly, this represented only Roma’s second European joust with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in 1961. The previous one, 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 best in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will shortly have huge consequences.

The new manager’s main quality up to now as the fanbase are concerned is that he is not Russell Martin. The latter’s ghastly spell as the head coach continued for just over four months in the early part of this season. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise though within a limited timeframe. The technical areas witnessed a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is 36, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the teams took the field. The home team’s obvious short stature against the Italians looked worrying. That concern was proven within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante comfortably redirected a set-piece at the front post. Following up, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to knock Roma in front. A Roma team without the injured Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness despite decent results in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.

Rangers could have levelled matters immediately. Rather, the forward screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound purchase from Everton has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an productive centre forward but seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit controlled opening period possession from that point. They doubled their lead through their captain, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. Ibrox, typically a raucous place on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. The discontent which greeted the interval were timid; Rangers were clearly in the midst of being outclassed.

The second period began against a curious atmosphere. Supporters directed their focus once again towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, clearly menacing in tone, depicted the pair with bullseyes on their faces. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman makes of all this. After all, the chairman enjoyed an low-profile life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before fronting a acquisition of Rangers. Paying punters have not targeted Cavenagh yet but there is a rebellious mood around the club. This is easy to understand; Rangers’ leadership is wholly unimpressive.

As if scripted, Chermiti was played in on the keeper on the hour mark and found only the side netting. This actually triggered Rangers’ finest spell of the match, in which their replacement the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. Yet, nonetheless, difficult to determine Roma’s remaining attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was given a chance from close range which he inexplicably hit up and on to the bottom of the bar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful chances were concerned. The series of changes from both teams meant this game closed more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. That scenario benefited Roma fine. It prompted reflection to consider how exactly the Glasgow club, finalists in this competition in 2022 and strong enough of the last eight a last year, arrived at the point of making up the numbers.