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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness about the way Roma dealt with this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. Roma from Rome did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when putting their Europa League bid back on track. There was a glaring gulf in quality between Roma and a the Scottish team squad that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven continental matches in a row.

Positively, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a second half when capitulation felt the probable outcome. Yet, the game was settled as a contest by then. The Scottish club remain anchored at the foot of the tournament, which should represent an disgrace to a club of this standing. The Giallorossi have ambitions again on making proper impact. Their only regret here was in not delivering a result appropriately depicting men against boys.

Amazingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second-ever European joust with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in 1961. The previous one, against the Terrors over two decades later, became marred (to put it politely) by the bribing of a referee. Back then, teams from Scotland could vie with the top sides in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a point that will soon have major consequences.

Danny Röhl’s main quality so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he is not his predecessor. The latter’s dismal spell as the head coach lasted just over four months in the initial phase of this season. 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 opposite number the Roma manager is 67.

Another element was much more noticeable as the teams lined up. Rangers’ obvious lack of height against the Italians looked worrying. That concern was confirmed within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder comfortably flicked on a corner at the front post. At the back, Matías Soulé burst forward to knock his team in front. The visitors without the injured their young striker and their star attacker, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with reasonable results in the tournament, were delighted with their early advantage.

Rangers should have levelled matters immediately. Instead, the forward sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s £8m purchase from Everton has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physical attributes to be an effective centre forward but appears unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated first-half the ball thereafter. Roma doubled their lead through their captain, whose bent effort into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, typically a raucous place on continental evenings, had been quietened with time still remaining before the break. Even the boos which met the interval were timid; the home team were simply in the midst of being overwhelmed.

After the break started against a curious atmosphere. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions once again towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, the director. Two banners, clearly menacing in message, depicted the pair with targets on their images. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman thinks about all this. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile career as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a acquisition of this club. 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 completely unimpressive.

As if scripted, the striker was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and hit the side netting. This actually triggered the home side’s finest spell of the game, in which their replacement the young midfielder fired just wide. It was, however, difficult to determine Roma’s remaining offensive intent until the full-back was given a chance all of a yard out which he inexplicably lifted and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were concerned. The raft of substitutions from each side meant this fixture ended more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. That scenario benefited the Italians fine. There was cause to consider how on earth Rangers, runners-up in this tournament in 2022 and worthy of the last eight a season ago, reached the stage of just participating.