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There was admirable efficiency in the way the Italian side dealt with this trip to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Italy’s capital did, however, face manageable rivals when placing their Europa League bid back on track. There was a obvious gulf in quality between Roma and a Rangers squad that has now lost a club record seven continental matches consecutively.

To their credit, the home side at least fought hard during a later period when capitulation felt the probable option. However, the match was decided as a contest by then. The Scottish club remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should constitute an embarrassment to a team of such stature. The Giallorossi have ambitions once more on making proper impact. One slight disappointment in this match was in not producing a scoreline appropriately depicting men against boys.

Amazingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second-ever European joust 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 corruption of a match official. In those days, teams from Scotland could vie with the best in the continent. This season has seen the co-efficient plunge to a point that will soon have major ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute up to now as the fanbase are concerned is that he is not Russell Martin. Martin’s dismal spell as the manager lasted just over four months in the initial phase of the campaign. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The technical areas witnessed a generation game; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

Another element was far more striking as the teams took the field. The home team’s obvious lack of height against the Italians looked ominous. That concern was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder easily redirected a set-piece at the near post. At the back, Matías Soulé burst forward to knock Roma in front. The visitors minus the unavailable their young striker and their star attacker, who have been criticised for bluntness even with decent performances in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side could have equalised immediately. Instead, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. The player’s £8m signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an effective striker but appears reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit dominated opening period the ball thereafter. Roma doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the far post of Jack Butland’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 gorgeous strike. Ibrox, typically a raucous venue on continental evenings, had been quietened with time still remaining before the break. Even the boos which met the half-time whistle were subdued; the home team were simply in the midst of being overwhelmed.

After the break started against a unusual atmosphere. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, obviously sinister in message, showed the duo with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman makes of the situation. Ultimately, the chairman had an low-profile career as a successful businessman in the United States before leading a takeover of Rangers. Fans have not targeted the owner so far but there is a mutinous feeling in the air. This is easy to understand; Rangers’ management is wholly unconvincing.

As if scripted, Chermiti was sent through on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and hit the outside of the goal. That moment sparked the home side’s best period of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. Yet, however, difficult to determine Roma’s continued offensive intent until the full-back was presented with a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably lifted and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That was it as far as meaningful chances were concerned. The series of changes from both teams meant this game closed more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. This of course suited Roma fine. There was cause to consider how exactly Rangers, runners-up in this tournament in recently and worthy of the last eight a season ago, reached the point of just participating.