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Roma displayed admirable efficiency in the way Roma dealt with this journey to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. The team from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when placing their European competition bid back on track. Observers noted a glaring difference in class between Roma and a the Scottish team side that has now lost a club record seven continental matches consecutively.

Positively, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a second half when surrender felt the more likely option. Yet, the match was decided as a competition by then. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should constitute an embarrassment to a team of such stature. Roma have ambitions again on making proper impact. One slight disappointment here was in not producing a scoreline appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this marked only Roma’s second European joust with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in the early 60s. The previous one, against Dundee United 23 years later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a referee. Back then, teams from Scotland could vie with the top sides in the continent. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a level that will shortly have major ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he is not his predecessor. Martin’s ghastly spell as the head coach lasted 123 days in the early part of the campaign. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is 36, his counterpart the Roma manager is 67.

Another element was far more striking as the sides lined up. Rangers’ obvious short stature against the Italians looked ominous. This point was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder comfortably flicked on a corner at the near post. At the back, the Argentine winger burst forward to fire Roma in front. The visitors minus the unavailable Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness despite reasonable results in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side could have equalised immediately. Instead, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. The player’s eight-million-pound purchase from Everton has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an effective centre forward but seems reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

Roma controlled first-half possession thereafter. Roma doubled their lead through their captain, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will bemoan the fact Pellegrini was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. The stadium, usually a raucous place on European nights, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. The discontent which greeted the half-time whistle were timid; Rangers were clearly in the process of being overwhelmed.

After the break started against a curious backdrop. Those Rangers fans directed their focus for the latest time towards the top executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, the director. Two banners, obviously menacing in message, showed the duo with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman thinks about all this. After all, Andrew Cavenagh had an anonymous career as a successful businessman in the US before fronting a takeover of Rangers. Fans have not turned on the owner so far but there is a mutinous feeling around the club. This is unsurprising; The team’s management is wholly unimpressive.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on goal on the hour mark and hit the side netting. This actually triggered the home side’s best period of the game, in which their replacement the young midfielder fired just wide. It was, however, difficult to gauge Roma’s continued offensive intent until Zeki Celik was given a chance from close range which he inexplicably hit up and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut chances were concerned. The raft of changes from both teams resulted in this fixture closed more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. That scenario benefited the Italians perfectly. There was cause to consider how on earth Rangers, finalists in this tournament in recently and strong enough of the last eight a season ago, reached the point of making up the numbers.