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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness about the way the Italian side dealt with this trip to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Rome did, however, face manageable rivals when putting their Europa League bid on the right path. Observers noted a obvious gulf in quality between Roma and a Rangers squad that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven continental matches in a row.

Positively, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a later period when surrender felt the probable outcome. Yet, the game was settled as a contest at that stage. The Scottish club remain anchored at the bottom of the tournament, which should constitute an disgrace to a team of this standing. Roma have eyes again on achieving significant success. Their only regret here was in not producing a scoreline that truly reflected men against boys.

Surprisingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second-ever European joust with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in the early 60s. Their last such match, against the Terrors 23 years later, became marred (to put it politely) by the corruption of a referee. In those days, teams from Scotland could vie with the top sides in Europe. This season has seen the co-efficient plunge to a level that will shortly have huge ramifications.

The new manager’s main quality so far as the Rangers support are concerned is that he isn’t Russell Martin. Martin’s ghastly tenure as the manager lasted just over four months in the initial phase of the campaign. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has shown promise though within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a generation game; the Rangers boss is 36, his counterpart the Roma manager is 67.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides lined up. Rangers’ obvious short stature against the visitors looked ominous. That concern was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante easily flicked on a set-piece at the near post. At the back, the Argentine winger burst forward to knock Roma in front. A Roma team without the unavailable their young striker and their star attacker, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge despite reasonable performances in this campaign, were delighted with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side could have equalised instantly. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. The player’s eight-million-pound purchase from Everton has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physique to be an productive striker but appears unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit dominated first-half the ball from that point. Roma doubled their lead through their captain, whose bent effort into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will lament the fact Pellegrini was left in complete freedom but it was a superb finish. The stadium, usually a boisterous place on continental evenings, had been silenced nine minutes before the break. Even the boos which greeted the interval were subdued; the home team were simply in the midst of being outclassed.

The second period began against a unusual backdrop. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, clearly sinister in message, showed the pair with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about the situation. Ultimately, the chairman enjoyed an low-profile career as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a takeover of this club. Fans have not turned on Cavenagh yet but there is a mutinous mood in the air. It is one which is unsurprising; The team’s management is completely unconvincing.

As if scripted, Chermiti was sent through on the keeper on the hour mark and found only the outside of the goal. That moment sparked Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. It was, however, difficult to gauge Roma’s remaining offensive intent until the full-back was presented with a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably hit up and on to the bottom of the bar.

That was it as far as meaningful chances were concerned. The raft of changes from both teams resulted in this fixture ended more in the style of a summer exhibition than serious contest. That scenario benefited Roma fine. It prompted reflection to consider how exactly the Glasgow club, finalists in this tournament in recently and worthy of the last eight a last year, reached the stage of just participating.