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There was impressive effectiveness about the way Roma handled this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. Roma from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when placing their European competition bid on the right path. Observers noted a glaring gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers side that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven European games consecutively.

Positively, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a later period when surrender felt the probable option. However, the match was settled as a contest at that stage. The Scottish club remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should constitute an disgrace to a club of such stature. Roma have eyes again on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment in this match was in not producing a result appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this represented only Roma’s second European joust with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in the early 60s. The previous one, against Dundee United 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a referee. In those days, teams from Scotland could vie with the best in the continent. This season has seen the co-efficient drop to a point that will soon have major ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute up to now as the fanbase are see it is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s dismal spell as the head coach continued for 123 days in the initial phase of the campaign. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a tiny sample size. The technical areas witnessed a generation game; Röhl is 36, his counterpart the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

Another element was much more noticeable as the teams lined up. Rangers’ glaring lack of height against the visitors looked worrying. This point was proven within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder easily flicked on a set-piece at the front post. At the back, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to knock his team ahead. The visitors without the injured their young striker and their star attacker, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge despite decent performances in the tournament, were delighted with their quick lead.

Rangers could have levelled matters immediately. Rather, the forward screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. The player’s eight-million-pound purchase from Everton has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an productive centre forward but seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated first-half possession from that point. They doubled their lead through their captain, whose curling shot into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will lament the fact the midfielder stood in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. The stadium, usually a raucous venue on European nights, had been silenced with time still remaining until halftime. Even the boos which met the interval were subdued; the home team were clearly in the process of being overwhelmed.

After the break started against a unusual backdrop. Supporters directed their focus once again towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, obviously sinister in message, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman makes of the situation. After all, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an anonymous life as a successful businessman in the US before fronting a takeover of Rangers. Paying punters have not turned on the owner so far 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, Chermiti was sent through on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and hit the side netting. This actually triggered the home side’s best period of the game, in which their replacement the young midfielder fired just wide. Yet, however, difficult to determine Roma’s remaining attacking motivation until the full-back was presented with a chance from close range which he inexplicably hit up and onto the bottom of the bar.

That was it as far as meaningful chances were involved. The raft of substitutions from each side resulted in this game closed more in the style of a summer exhibition than serious contest. This of course suited the Italians perfectly. It prompted reflection to ponder how exactly Rangers, finalists in this competition in 2022 and strong enough of the quarter-finals a season ago, arrived at the stage of just participating.