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There was impressive effectiveness in the way the Italian side handled this trip to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Italy’s capital did, however, meet favourable opposition when placing their European competition bid on the right path. 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.

Positively, the home side at least fought hard during a later period when surrender felt the probable outcome. However, the game was settled as a contest by then. Rangers remain rooted to the bottom of the tournament, which should represent an embarrassment to a club of such stature. Roma have ambitions once more on achieving significant success. Their only regret here was in not delivering a result that truly reflected men against boys.

Surprisingly, this represented only Roma’s second-ever European joust with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in the early 60s. The previous one, against Dundee United over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the bribing of a match official. In those days, Scottish clubs could vie with the top sides in Europe. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a point that will soon have major ramifications.

The new manager’s main quality up to now as the Rangers support are concerned is that he is not Russell Martin. Martin’s dismal spell as the head coach lasted just over four months in the initial phase of this season. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a tiny sample size. The technical areas witnessed a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

Another element was much more noticeable as the teams took the field. Rangers’ obvious lack of height against the Italians looked worrying. That concern was proven within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the near post. At the back, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to fire Roma in front. A Roma team without the injured Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge even with reasonable performances in the tournament, were delighted with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side could have equalised immediately. Instead, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound purchase from the Toffees has piled pressure on the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physical attributes to be an effective striker but seems unwilling or unable to use them.

Roma controlled opening period the ball from that point. They doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net came after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. Ibrox, usually a boisterous venue on European nights, had been silenced nine minutes until halftime. Even the boos which met the interval were timid; Rangers were clearly in the midst of being overwhelmed.

After the break began against a curious backdrop. Those Rangers fans directed their focus for the latest time towards the top executive, the CEO, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, obviously menacing in message, depicted the pair with targets on their faces. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about the situation. After all, the chairman had an low-profile career as a successful businessman in the United States before leading a takeover of Rangers. Paying punters have not turned on Cavenagh yet but there is a mutinous feeling in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; Rangers’ leadership is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, the striker was sent through on the keeper on the 60-minute 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. Yet, however, hard to gauge the visitors’ continued offensive intent until Zeki Celik was presented with a opportunity from close range which he somehow hit up and on to the bottom of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful chances were concerned. The raft of changes from each side resulted in this game ended more in the style of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. This of course suited Roma perfectly. There was cause to consider how exactly Rangers, runners-up in this competition in 2022 and strong enough of the last eight a season ago, reached the stage of just participating.