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There was admirable efficiency about the way Roma handled this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. Roma from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when putting their European competition bid back on track. Observers noted a obvious difference in class between Roma and a Rangers squad that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven European games in a row.

To their credit, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a later period when capitulation felt the probable outcome. Yet, the game was settled as a competition at that stage. The Scottish club remain anchored at the bottom of the tournament, which should constitute an disgrace to a club of this standing. Roma have ambitions once more on making proper impact. One slight disappointment here was in not delivering a result that truly reflected men against boys.

Amazingly, this represented only Roma’s second-ever European joust with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in 1961. Their last such match, against Dundee United 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a referee. In those days, Scottish clubs could vie with the top sides in the continent. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will soon have huge ramifications.

The new manager’s main quality so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he is not his predecessor. Martin’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 though within a limited timeframe. The technical areas witnessed a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his counterpart the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

Another element was much more noticeable as the teams lined up. The home team’s glaring short stature against the Italians 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 ahead. The visitors minus the injured Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge despite decent performances in the tournament, were delighted with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side could have levelled matters instantly. Instead, the forward sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s £8m signing from Everton has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physique to be an productive centre forward but seems reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated first-half possession from that point. Roma extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net came after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will lament the fact the midfielder was left in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, typically a boisterous venue on continental evenings, had been quietened with time still remaining before the break. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were timid; Rangers were simply in the midst of being overwhelmed.

The second period began against a curious atmosphere. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions once again towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, obviously menacing in message, showed the pair with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the club owner makes of all this. Ultimately, the chairman enjoyed an low-profile career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before fronting a takeover of Rangers. Fans have not turned on the owner so far but there is a mutinous mood around the club. It is one which is easy to understand; Rangers’ leadership is wholly unimpressive.

As if scripted, Chermiti was sent through on the keeper on the hour mark and hit the outside of the goal. This actually triggered the home side’s best period of the match, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. It was, nonetheless, hard to determine the visitors’ remaining attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was given a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably lifted and on to the bottom of the bar.

That was it as far as meaningful chances were concerned. The raft of substitutions from both teams meant this fixture ended more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than serious contest. This of course suited the Italians fine. There was cause to consider how on earth Rangers, finalists in this tournament in recently and strong enough of the quarter-finals a last year, arrived at the point of just participating.