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There was impressive effectiveness in the way Roma dealt with this trip to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. The team from Rome did, however, meet favourable opposition when putting their Europa League bid on the right path. There was a obvious gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers squad that has now lost a club record seven European games in a row.

To their credit, the home side at least fought hard during a later period when capitulation felt the more likely outcome. However, the match was settled as a contest by then. Rangers remain rooted to the bottom of the tournament, which should constitute an disgrace to a team of such stature. The Giallorossi have ambitions again on making proper impact. One slight disappointment in this match was in not producing a result appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second-ever continental encounter with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup business with Hibs in 1961. Their last such match, against the Terrors 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the bribing of a match official. In those days, Scottish clubs could compete with the best in the continent. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will shortly have major consequences.

The new manager’s key attribute up to now as the Rangers support are see it is that he isn’t Russell Martin. Martin’s dismal spell as the manager lasted 123 days in the early part of the campaign. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a tiny sample size. The technical areas witnessed a clash of generations; Röhl is 36, his opposite number the Roma manager is 67.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides took the field. Rangers’ glaring short stature against the Italians looked ominous. This point was confirmed within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder comfortably redirected a set-piece at the near post. Following up, the Argentine winger burst forward to knock his team ahead. The visitors without the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for bluntness despite reasonable performances in this campaign, were delighted with their quick lead.

Rangers should have equalised immediately. Rather, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. The player’s eight-million-pound purchase from the Toffees has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physique to be an effective centre forward but appears reluctant or incapable to use them.

The Italian outfit controlled first-half the ball from that point. They doubled their lead through their captain, whose curling shot into the far post of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will bemoan the fact Pellegrini stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous finish. The stadium, typically a boisterous place on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. Even the boos which greeted the interval were timid; Rangers were simply in the midst of being overwhelmed.

The second period started against a unusual backdrop. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions once again towards the top executive, the CEO, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, clearly sinister in tone, showed the pair with targets on their images. One wonders what the Rangers chairman makes of all this. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile life as a successful businessman in the US before fronting a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not turned on the owner yet but there is a mutinous feeling in the air. It is one which is unsurprising; The team’s leadership is wholly unimpressive.

Right on cue, the striker was played in on goal on the hour mark and found only the side netting. That moment sparked the home side’s best period of the game, in which their replacement the young midfielder fired just wide. It was, however, difficult to determine the visitors’ remaining attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was given a opportunity all of a yard out which he somehow lifted and on to the bottom of the crossbar.

That was it as far as clear-cut opportunity were involved. The series of changes from each side meant this game closed more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than serious contest. That scenario benefited Roma fine. It prompted reflection to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in 2022 and worthy of the last eight a last year, arrived at the stage of making up the numbers.