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There was admirable efficiency about the way Roma dealt with this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. The team from Rome did, however, meet favourable opposition when placing their European competition bid on the right path. There was a obvious difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers side that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven continental matches in a row.

Positively, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a second half when surrender felt the more likely outcome. However, the match was decided as a competition by then. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should represent an embarrassment to a team of this standing. The Giallorossi have ambitions once more 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-ever continental encounter with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in 1961. Their last such match, against the Terrors 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the corruption of a match official. In those days, teams from Scotland could vie with the best in Europe. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will soon have huge consequences.

The new manager’s key attribute so far as the fanbase are see it is that he is not Russell Martin. The latter’s ghastly tenure as the manager lasted just over four months in the early part of the campaign. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a tiny sample size. The dugouts witnessed a generation game; the Rangers boss is 36, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

A further factor was far more striking as the sides lined up. Rangers’ obvious short stature against the visitors looked worrying. This point was confirmed within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the front post. At the back, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to knock Roma in front. The visitors without the unavailable Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge even with decent results in the tournament, were pleased with their early advantage.

Rangers should have equalised immediately. Rather, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. The player’s £8m purchase from Everton has piled pressure on the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physical attributes to be an effective centre forward but seems reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit dominated opening period possession thereafter. They doubled their lead through their captain, whose bent effort into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will bemoan the fact Pellegrini stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. Ibrox, 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 unusual atmosphere. Supporters directed their focus for the latest time towards the top executive, the CEO, and sporting director, the director. A pair of displays, clearly menacing in message, depicted the duo with targets on their faces. It raises questions what the club owner makes of all this. After all, the chairman had an anonymous life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before leading a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not targeted the owner so far but there is a rebellious mood around the club. This is easy to understand; The team’s management is wholly unconvincing.

As if scripted, the striker was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and hit the outside of the goal. This actually triggered Rangers’ best period of the match, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. Yet, nonetheless, difficult to determine the visitors’ remaining offensive intent until Zeki Celik was presented with a chance from close range which he somehow lifted and onto the bottom of the crossbar.

That was it as far as clear-cut opportunity were concerned. The raft of changes from both teams resulted in this game ended more in the style of a summer exhibition than serious contest. That scenario benefited Roma 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, arrived at the stage of making up the numbers.