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There was admirable efficiency about the way Roma handled this trip to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Rome did, however, meet favourable opposition when putting their Europa League bid on the right path. Observers noted a glaring gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers side that has now lost a team record seven European games in a row.

Positively, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a second half when surrender felt the more likely outcome. Yet, the game was settled as a competition by then. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a club of this standing. The Giallorossi have ambitions again on making proper impact. One slight disappointment in this match was in not delivering a result that truly reflected men against boys.

Amazingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second continental encounter with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibs in 1961. Their last such match, against Dundee United 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 best in Europe. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will soon have huge ramifications.

The new manager’s main quality so far as the fanbase are concerned is that he isn’t Russell Martin. Martin’s ghastly tenure as the manager continued for just over four months in the early part of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a limited timeframe. The dugouts witnessed a clash of generations; Röhl is 36, his opposite number the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

A further factor was far more striking as the sides lined up. The home team’s obvious short stature against the visitors looked worrying. This point was proven within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante easily flicked on a set-piece at the near post. At the back, Matías Soulé burst forward to knock his team in front. A Roma team minus the injured Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness even with reasonable results in this campaign, were pleased with their early advantage.

Rangers could have levelled matters immediately. Instead, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s £8m purchase from Everton has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an effective striker but seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated first-half possession thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net came after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will lament the fact Pellegrini stood in complete freedom but it was a superb strike. Ibrox, usually a raucous place on continental evenings, had been quietened with time still remaining before the break. Even the boos which greeted the half-time whistle were subdued; Rangers were simply in the process of being overwhelmed.

The second period started against a unusual backdrop. Supporters directed their focus for the latest time towards the top executive, the CEO, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, obviously sinister in message, showed the pair with targets on their faces. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman makes of the situation. After all, the chairman enjoyed an anonymous life as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a acquisition of Rangers. Fans have not turned on Cavenagh so far but there is a mutinous mood around the club. It is one which is easy to understand; Rangers’ management is wholly unimpressive.

As if scripted, Chermiti was sent through on the keeper on the hour mark and hit the side netting. This actually triggered Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their substitute the young midfielder fired just wide. It was, nonetheless, difficult to determine Roma’s continued attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was given a opportunity all of a yard out which he somehow lifted and on to the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful opportunity were involved. The series of changes from both teams resulted in this fixture closed more in the style of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. That scenario benefited Roma fine. There was cause to consider how exactly the Glasgow club, finalists in this tournament in recently and worthy of the quarter-finals a last year, arrived at the stage of making up the numbers.