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Roma displayed admirable efficiency in the way the Italian side handled this trip to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Italy’s capital did, however, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid on the right path. Observers noted a glaring gulf in quality between Roma and a the Scottish team squad that has now lost a club record seven continental matches in a row.

Positively, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a later period when capitulation felt the probable outcome. Yet, the game was decided as a competition by then. Rangers remain rooted to the bottom of the tournament, which should represent an disgrace to a team of such stature. Roma have eyes once more on making proper impact. One slight disappointment in this match was in not producing a scoreline that truly reflected men against boys.

Amazingly, this represented only Roma’s second continental encounter with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibs in 1961. The previous one, against Dundee United 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the bribing of a referee. Back then, teams from Scotland could compete with the best in the continent. The current campaign has seen the co-efficient drop to a level that will shortly have major consequences.

Danny Röhl’s main quality so far as the fanbase are concerned is that he is not Russell Martin. Martin’s ghastly tenure as the head coach lasted 123 days in the early part of the campaign. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential though within a tiny sample size. The dugouts witnessed a clash of generations; Röhl is 36, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides lined up. The home team’s glaring lack of height against the Italians looked worrying. This point was proven within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder easily redirected a set-piece at the near post. At the back, the Argentine winger burst forward to knock Roma ahead. A Roma team without the unavailable Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been questioned for bluntness even with decent performances in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side should have levelled matters immediately. Instead, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. The player’s £8m purchase from Everton has piled pressure on the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an productive centre forward but appears unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma controlled opening period possession from that point. They doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder was left in complete freedom but it was a superb finish. The stadium, usually a raucous place on European nights, had been silenced nine minutes until halftime. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were timid; the home team were simply in the process of being outclassed.

The second period started against a unusual atmosphere. Those Rangers fans directed their focus once again towards the top executive, the CEO, and sporting director, the director. A pair of displays, obviously sinister in tone, showed the pair with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the club owner makes of the situation. After all, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile life as a successful businessman in the United States before leading a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not turned on the owner yet but there is a rebellious mood in the air. This is easy to understand; Rangers’ leadership is wholly unimpressive.

As if scripted, the striker was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and found only the outside of the goal. That moment sparked Rangers’ best period of the match, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. It was, however, difficult to determine Roma’s remaining attacking motivation until the full-back was presented with a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably lifted and on to the underside of the bar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful opportunity were concerned. The series of substitutions from both teams meant this fixture ended more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than serious contest. That scenario benefited Roma perfectly. It prompted reflection to ponder how on earth Rangers, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and strong enough of the quarter-finals a last year, reached the point of just participating.