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

To their credit, Rangers at least fought hard during a second half when capitulation felt the more likely option. Yet, the match was settled as a contest by then. The Scottish club remain rooted to the bottom of the tournament, which should constitute an embarrassment to a club of this standing. Roma have eyes again on making proper impact. One slight disappointment here was in not producing a scoreline that truly reflected men against boys.

Amazingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second European joust with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in 1961. Their last such match, against Dundee United 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a match official. In those days, teams from Scotland could compete with the best in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a point that will soon have huge ramifications.

The new manager’s key attribute so far as the fanbase are see it is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s dismal spell as the head coach continued for just over four months in the early part of the campaign. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The dugouts witnessed a generation game; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the teams lined up. Rangers’ glaring short stature against the visitors looked ominous. This point was proven within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder easily flicked on a corner at the near post. Following up, the Argentine winger burst forward to knock Roma ahead. The visitors without the injured their young striker and their star attacker, who have been questioned for bluntness even with reasonable results in this campaign, were pleased with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side could have equalised immediately. Instead, the forward screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. The player’s eight-million-pound signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physical attributes to be an productive striker but seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma controlled first-half the ball thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will lament the fact Pellegrini was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb strike. The stadium, typically a boisterous venue on European nights, had been silenced with time still remaining until halftime. The discontent which met the interval were subdued; Rangers were clearly in the process of being overwhelmed.

After the break began against a unusual backdrop. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions for the latest time towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. A pair of displays, clearly sinister in tone, depicted the pair with bullseyes on their faces. It raises questions what the club owner makes of all this. After all, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before fronting a acquisition of Rangers. Paying punters have not turned on the owner so far but there is a mutinous feeling in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; The team’s leadership is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, the striker was played in on the keeper on the hour mark and hit the outside of the goal. That moment sparked Rangers’ best period of the match, in which their substitute the young midfielder fired just wide. Yet, however, difficult to determine the visitors’ remaining offensive intent until Zeki Celik was given a opportunity from close range which he somehow hit up and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut chances were involved. The raft of changes from both teams meant this game ended more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. This of course suited the Italians fine. It prompted reflection to ponder how on earth Rangers, finalists in this tournament in recently and strong enough of the quarter-finals a season ago, reached the stage of making up the numbers.