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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness in the way Roma dealt with this trip to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. The team from Italy’s capital did, however, face manageable rivals when putting their European competition bid on the right path. There was a obvious gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team squad that has now lost a team record seven continental matches consecutively.

Positively, the home side at least fought hard during a later period when capitulation felt the more likely option. However, the match was decided as a contest at that stage. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the Europa League, which should constitute an embarrassment to a club of such stature. The Giallorossi have eyes again on making proper impact. One slight disappointment here was in not delivering a scoreline that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second-ever continental encounter with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup business with Hibs in 1961. Their last such match, against Dundee United over two decades later, became marred (to put it politely) by the corruption of a match official. Back then, teams from Scotland could vie with the best in Europe. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a point that will soon have huge ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute so far as the fanbase are see it is that he is not Russell Martin. Martin’s ghastly tenure as the head coach lasted just over four months in the initial phase of the campaign. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a tiny sample size. The dugouts witnessed a generation game; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his opposite number the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

A further factor was far more striking as the teams took the field. The home team’s glaring short stature against the Italians looked ominous. That concern was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder easily flicked on a corner at the near post. At the back, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to fire Roma ahead. The visitors minus the injured their young striker and their star attacker, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge despite decent results in this campaign, were delighted with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side could have levelled matters immediately. Instead, the forward screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. The player’s £8m signing from Everton has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an productive striker but appears unwilling or unable to use them.

Roma controlled first-half possession thereafter. Roma doubled their lead through their captain, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will bemoan the fact Pellegrini stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, usually a raucous venue on European nights, had been quietened with time still remaining until halftime. Even the boos which met the half-time whistle were timid; the home team were simply in the midst of being outclassed.

After the break began against a curious atmosphere. Supporters turned their attentions once again towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, clearly sinister in tone, depicted the pair with targets on their images. It raises questions what the club owner makes of all this. After all, the chairman enjoyed an low-profile life as a successful businessman in the US before fronting a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not targeted the owner yet but there is a rebellious feeling in the air. It is one which is unsurprising; The team’s leadership is completely unimpressive.

Right on cue, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the hour mark and hit the side netting. That moment sparked Rangers’ best period of the match, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. It was, nonetheless, difficult to gauge Roma’s continued offensive intent until the full-back was presented with a chance all of a yard out which he somehow lifted and on to the bottom of the crossbar.

That was it as far as clear-cut opportunity were involved. The series of changes from each side meant this game closed more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than competitive match. This of course suited Roma fine. It prompted reflection to consider how on earth Rangers, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and strong enough of the last eight a season ago, arrived at the stage of making up the numbers.