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There was admirable efficiency in the way Roma handled this trip to Scotland. Without much drama. The team from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when placing their European competition bid on the right path. Observers noted a glaring difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team side that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven European games in a row.

To their credit, Rangers at least fought hard during a later period when surrender felt the more likely outcome. However, the match was decided as a competition at that stage. The Scottish club remain rooted to the foot of the Europa League, which should constitute an embarrassment to a team of such stature. Roma have ambitions once more on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment here was in not producing a result appropriately depicting men against boys.

Amazingly, this marked only Roma’s second-ever European joust with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup business with Hibs in the early 60s. Their last such match, against the Terrors over two decades later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a referee. In those days, Scottish clubs could vie with the top sides in Europe. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a point that will shortly have huge consequences.

The new manager’s main quality so far as the fanbase are concerned is that he is not his predecessor. Martin’s ghastly spell as the head coach continued for 123 days in the early part of the campaign. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The technical areas saw a clash of generations; Röhl is thirty-six, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

Another element 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 comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the front post. Following up, Matías Soulé burst forward to knock Roma in front. A Roma team minus the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge despite decent performances in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.

Rangers should have equalised immediately. Rather, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound purchase from Everton has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an effective centre forward but seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit controlled first-half possession from that point. They extended their advantage through their captain, whose bent effort into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will lament the fact Pellegrini was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb strike. Ibrox, usually a boisterous place on continental evenings, had been silenced nine minutes until halftime. Even the boos which met the interval were timid; Rangers were simply in the process of being overwhelmed.

After the break started against a curious backdrop. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions for the latest time towards the top executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, the director. Two banners, clearly menacing in tone, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their faces. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman thinks about the situation. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an anonymous life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before fronting a takeover of this club. Fans have not turned on the owner yet but there is a rebellious mood in the air. This is easy to understand; The team’s leadership is completely unconvincing.

Right on cue, the striker was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and found only the outside of the goal. This actually triggered Rangers’ finest spell of the match, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. Yet, however, difficult to determine Roma’s continued attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was given a opportunity all of a yard out which he somehow hit up and on to the bottom of the crossbar.

That was it as far as clear-cut opportunity were involved. The series of substitutions from both teams resulted in this game closed more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. This of course suited Roma perfectly. It prompted reflection to consider how exactly the Glasgow club, finalists in this tournament in recently and strong enough of the last eight a season ago, reached the stage of making up the numbers.