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There was admirable efficiency in the way Roma dealt with this trip to Glasgow. Without much drama. The team from Rome did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when placing their European competition 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, Rangers at least fought hard during a later period when surrender felt the more likely outcome. However, the match was decided as a contest at that stage. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should constitute an embarrassment to a team of this standing. The Giallorossi have ambitions once more on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment here was in not producing a scoreline appropriately depicting men against boys.

Amazingly, this represented only Roma’s second-ever continental encounter with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibs in the early 60s. The previous one, against Dundee United 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the bribing of a referee. Back then, Scottish clubs could compete with the top sides in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a point that will shortly have huge ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute up to now as the Rangers support are see it is that he is not his predecessor. The latter’s ghastly tenure as the manager continued for 123 days in the early part of this season. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a generation game; Röhl is thirty-six, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the sides took the field. Rangers’ obvious short stature against the visitors looked worrying. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante easily redirected a set-piece at the near post. Following up, Matías Soulé burst forward to fire his team ahead. A Roma team without the unavailable Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been questioned for bluntness despite decent results in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side should have equalised immediately. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound purchase from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an effective striker but seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated 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 the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will lament the fact Pellegrini stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, usually a boisterous venue on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes before the break. Even the boos which greeted the interval were timid; the home team were simply in the midst of being overwhelmed.

After the break began against a unusual backdrop. Those Rangers fans directed their focus for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, the director. A pair of displays, clearly sinister in message, showed the duo with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the club owner makes of the situation. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh had an anonymous life as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not targeted Cavenagh so far but there is a mutinous feeling in the air. This is unsurprising; The team’s leadership is completely unconvincing.

As if scripted, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the hour mark and hit the outside of the goal. This actually triggered Rangers’ finest spell of the game, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. Yet, however, difficult to gauge Roma’s continued offensive intent until Zeki Celik was presented with a chance all of a yard out which he somehow hit up and onto the bottom of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful chances were concerned. The series of changes from each side resulted in this game ended more in the style of a summer exhibition than competitive match. This of course suited the Italians fine. It prompted reflection to ponder how exactly Rangers, finalists in this tournament in recently and worthy of the last eight a season ago, reached the stage of just participating.