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There was admirable efficiency in the way the Italian side handled this trip to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Rome did, however, meet favourable opposition when putting their Europa League bid back on track. There was a glaring difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team side that has now lost a team record seven European games consecutively.

To their credit, Rangers at least fought hard during a second half when capitulation felt the probable option. However, the match was settled as a competition by then. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the tournament, which should represent an embarrassment to a club of such stature. The Giallorossi have eyes once more on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment in this match was in not producing a result 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 the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in the early 60s. The previous one, against Dundee United over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a match official. In those days, Scottish clubs could compete with the best in Europe. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a point that will soon have major consequences.

The new manager’s key attribute up to now as the Rangers support are see it is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s dismal spell as the manager lasted 123 days in the initial phase of this season. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has shown promise though within a tiny sample size. The dugouts saw a generation game; Röhl is thirty-six, his counterpart the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the sides took the field. Rangers’ glaring lack of height against the visitors looked worrying. This point was confirmed within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante easily flicked on a set-piece at the front post. Following up, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to knock his team in front. The visitors minus the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness even with decent performances in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.

Rangers should have levelled matters instantly. Rather, 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. He has at least the physical attributes to be an effective centre forward but seems reluctant or incapable to use them.

Roma dominated opening period possession thereafter. Roma doubled their lead through their captain, whose bent effort into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will lament the fact the midfielder was left in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous finish. Ibrox, typically a boisterous venue on European nights, had been silenced with time still remaining before the break. Even the boos which greeted the half-time whistle were subdued; Rangers were simply in the process of being overwhelmed.

The second period started against a curious backdrop. Those Rangers fans directed their focus for the latest time towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, the director. A pair of displays, clearly menacing in tone, showed the duo with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman makes of all this. After all, the chairman had an low-profile career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before leading a takeover of this club. Fans have not turned on the owner so far but there is a mutinous mood around the club. This is easy to understand; Rangers’ leadership is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, the striker was played in on the keeper on the hour mark and found only the outside of the goal. This actually triggered Rangers’ finest spell of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. It was, nonetheless, difficult to gauge Roma’s continued attacking motivation until the full-back was given a opportunity all of a yard out which he inexplicably hit up and on to the underside of the bar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were concerned. The series of substitutions from each side meant this fixture closed more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than competitive match. That scenario benefited Roma fine. There was cause to consider how on earth Rangers, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and strong enough of the quarter-finals a last year, reached the point of making up the numbers.