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There was admirable efficiency about the way the Italian side dealt with this journey to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. The team from Rome did, however, meet favourable opposition when putting their European competition bid back on track. There was a glaring gulf in quality between Roma and a Rangers squad that has now lost a club record seven continental matches in a row.

To their credit, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a later period when capitulation felt the more likely option. Yet, the match was decided as a competition by then. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the tournament, which should constitute an embarrassment to a club of this standing. The Giallorossi have eyes again on making proper impact. One slight disappointment here was in not delivering a scoreline appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second European joust with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup business with Hibs in 1961. Their last such match, against Dundee United over two decades later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a referee. Back then, teams from Scotland could compete with the top sides in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a level that will shortly have major ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute up to now as the Rangers support are see it is that he is not his predecessor. The latter’s ghastly tenure as the head coach continued for 123 days in the early part of this season. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a tiny sample size. The technical areas witnessed a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is 36, his counterpart the Roma manager is 67.

Another element was much more noticeable as the teams lined up. Rangers’ glaring lack of height against the visitors looked worrying. This point was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante easily flicked on a set-piece at the near post. Following up, the Argentine winger burst forward to knock Roma in front. A Roma team without the injured their young striker and their star attacker, who have been questioned for bluntness despite reasonable performances in the tournament, were delighted with their early advantage.

Rangers could have levelled matters immediately. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound signing from Everton has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physical attributes to be an productive centre forward but appears reluctant or incapable to use them.

The Italian outfit controlled first-half possession thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through their captain, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net came after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will lament the fact the midfielder stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous finish. The stadium, usually a raucous place on continental evenings, had been silenced nine minutes before the break. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were subdued; the home team were simply in the process of being outclassed.

The second period began against a unusual atmosphere. Supporters directed their focus once again towards the top executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, clearly sinister in message, showed the pair with bullseyes on their faces. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about the situation. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an anonymous life as a successful businessman in the US before fronting a takeover of this club. Fans have not turned on Cavenagh so far but there is a mutinous feeling around the club. This is easy to understand; The team’s management is completely unimpressive.

Right on cue, the striker was played in on goal on the hour mark and found only the outside of the goal. That moment sparked Rangers’ best period of the match, in which their substitute the young midfielder fired just wide. It was, nonetheless, difficult to determine Roma’s continued attacking motivation until the full-back was given a chance from close range which he somehow lifted and on to the underside of the crossbar.

That was it as far as clear-cut chances were concerned. The raft of changes from both teams meant this fixture closed more in the style of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. That scenario benefited the Italians perfectly. There was cause to ponder how on earth Rangers, finalists in this competition in recently and strong enough of the quarter-finals a last year, arrived at the point of making up the numbers.