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There was impressive effectiveness about the way the Italian side dealt with this trip to Glasgow. Without much drama. The team from Rome did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League 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 club record seven continental matches in a row.

To their credit, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a later period when surrender felt the probable outcome. However, the match was decided as a contest at that stage. Rangers remain rooted to the bottom of the tournament, which should represent an embarrassment to a club of such stature. Roma have ambitions again on making proper impact. One slight disappointment here was in not producing a result that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this marked only Roma’s second continental encounter with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in the early 60s. The previous one, against Dundee United over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the corruption of a referee. In those days, teams from Scotland could compete with the top sides in Europe. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a level that will soon have major ramifications.

The new manager’s main quality up to now as the Rangers support are concerned is that he is not his predecessor. Martin’s dismal spell as the manager continued for just over four months in the early part of the campaign. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The dugouts witnessed a generation game; Röhl is 36, his opposite number the Roma manager is 67.

Another element was far more striking as the teams lined up. The home team’s glaring lack of height against the visitors looked ominous. This point was confirmed within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante easily redirected a corner at the front post. Following up, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to knock his team in front. A Roma team minus the unavailable their young striker and their star attacker, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with decent results in the tournament, were delighted with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side should have levelled matters instantly. Instead, the forward screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound purchase from the Toffees has piled pressure on the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an productive centre forward but seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma controlled opening period the ball from that point. They doubled their lead through their captain, whose curling shot into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will lament the fact Pellegrini was left in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, typically a boisterous place on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. Even the boos which greeted the interval were subdued; Rangers were clearly in the midst of being outclassed.

After the break began against a unusual atmosphere. Those Rangers fans directed their focus for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, obviously sinister in message, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about the situation. After all, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an anonymous career as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a takeover of this club. 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’ leadership is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, the striker was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and hit the side netting. That moment sparked the home side’s finest spell of the game, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. Yet, nonetheless, difficult to determine the visitors’ continued offensive intent until the full-back was presented with a chance from close range which he somehow lifted and onto the underside of the bar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful opportunity were involved. The series of substitutions from both teams resulted in this game ended more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than competitive match. This of course suited the Italians perfectly. There was cause to consider how exactly the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in 2022 and strong enough of the last eight a season ago, reached the stage of making up the numbers.