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Roma displayed admirable efficiency in the way the Italian side dealt with this trip to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. The team from Rome did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid on the right path. Observers noted a obvious gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team side that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven European games in a row.

To their credit, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a later period when surrender felt the probable outcome. Yet, the match was decided as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain rooted to the foot of the tournament, which should represent an embarrassment to a team of this standing. Roma have eyes once more on making proper impact. Their only regret in this match was in not producing a scoreline appropriately depicting men against boys.

Amazingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second-ever European joust with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in 1961. The previous one, against Dundee United over two decades later, became marred (to put it politely) by the bribing of a match official. In those days, teams from Scotland could vie with the top sides in Europe. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will soon have huge consequences.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute so far as the fanbase are concerned is that he isn’t his predecessor. The latter’s dismal tenure as the manager lasted just over four months in the early part of this season. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise though within a limited timeframe. The technical areas witnessed a generation game; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

A further factor was far more striking as the teams took the field. Rangers’ glaring short stature against the Italians looked ominous. This point was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder easily redirected a corner at the near post. Following up, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to fire Roma in front. A Roma team minus the unavailable their young striker and their star attacker, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge despite reasonable results in the tournament, were pleased with their early advantage.

Rangers could have equalised immediately. Rather, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. The player’s eight-million-pound signing from Everton has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physique to be an productive striker but seems unwilling or unable to use them.

The Italian outfit dominated opening period possession from that point. Roma doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will lament the fact the midfielder was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb strike. Ibrox, typically a raucous venue on European nights, had been silenced with time still remaining before the break. The discontent which met the interval were subdued; Rangers were simply in the midst of being outclassed.

The second period began against a curious atmosphere. Those Rangers fans directed their focus once again towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously sinister in message, showed the pair with targets on their images. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about all this. After all, the chairman had an low-profile life as a successful businessman in the US before leading a takeover of Rangers. Paying punters have not turned on Cavenagh yet but there is a rebellious feeling around the club. It is one which is unsurprising; The team’s leadership is wholly unimpressive.

As if scripted, the striker was sent through on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and found only the side netting. This actually triggered the home side’s finest spell of the game, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. It was, however, difficult to gauge Roma’s continued offensive intent until the full-back was given a opportunity from close range which he somehow lifted and on to the bottom of the bar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut chances were concerned. The series of changes from each side meant this fixture ended more in the style of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. This of course suited Roma perfectly. It prompted reflection to consider how exactly Rangers, runners-up in this competition in recently and strong enough of the quarter-finals a season ago, arrived at the point of making up the numbers.