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There was admirable efficiency in the way the Italian side dealt with this journey to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. The team from Rome did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when putting their Europa League bid on the right path. Observers noted a glaring difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team side 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 capitulation felt the probable option. Yet, the game was settled as a contest at that stage. The Scottish club remain anchored at the foot of the Europa League, which should constitute an disgrace to a team of such stature. Roma have ambitions again on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment here was in not delivering a scoreline that truly reflected men against boys.

Amazingly, this marked only Roma’s second European joust with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup business with Hibs in the early 60s. Their last such match, against Dundee United over two decades later, became marred (to put it politely) by the corruption of a referee. Back then, teams from Scotland could vie with the top sides in the continent. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a level that will soon have major ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s main quality so far as the fanbase are concerned is that he isn’t Russell Martin. The latter’s ghastly spell as the head coach lasted just over four months in the early part of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has shown promise though within a tiny sample size. The technical areas saw a generation game; the Rangers boss is 36, his opposite number the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the sides took the field. The home team’s obvious lack of height against the Italians looked ominous. That concern was proven within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante easily redirected a set-piece at the front post. Following up, Matías Soulé burst forward to knock his team in front. The visitors without the injured Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with decent performances in this campaign, were pleased with their early advantage.

Rangers should have equalised immediately. Rather, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the Roma defence. The player’s £8m signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an effective striker but seems reluctant or incapable to use them.

The Italian outfit dominated first-half possession from that point. They extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will lament the fact the midfielder was left in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, usually a raucous venue on continental evenings, had been silenced with time still remaining before the break. Even the boos which greeted the half-time whistle were subdued; the home team were simply in the process of being overwhelmed.

The second period started against a unusual backdrop. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions for the latest time towards the top executive, the CEO, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, obviously menacing in tone, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their faces. One wonders what the Rangers chairman makes of the situation. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile life as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a acquisition of Rangers. Paying punters have not targeted the owner yet but there is a rebellious feeling in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; The team’s leadership is completely unconvincing.

Right on cue, the striker was played in on goal on the hour mark and found only the outside of the goal. That moment sparked the home side’s best period of the match, in which their substitute the young midfielder fired just wide. It was, nonetheless, difficult to determine Roma’s remaining offensive intent until the full-back was presented with a chance all of a yard out which he inexplicably lifted and onto the underside of the bar.

That was it as far as meaningful opportunity were involved. The series of substitutions from both teams resulted in this fixture ended more in the style of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. This of course suited Roma fine. There was cause to consider how on earth Rangers, runners-up in this competition in recently and strong enough of the quarter-finals a season ago, reached the stage of just participating.