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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness in the way Roma dealt with this trip to Glasgow. Without much drama. Roma from Italy’s capital did, however, face manageable rivals when putting their European competition bid on the right path. Observers noted a glaring gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team side that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven continental matches consecutively.

Positively, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a second half when capitulation felt the more likely outcome. However, the game was settled as a contest at that stage. Rangers remain rooted to the bottom of the Europa League, which should represent an embarrassment to a club of this standing. The Giallorossi have eyes once more on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment in this match 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 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 mildly) by the bribing of a match official. Back then, teams from Scotland could compete with the best in Europe. This season has seen the co-efficient plunge to a point that will shortly have huge ramifications.

The new manager’s key attribute up to now as the Rangers support are concerned is that he is not Russell Martin. The latter’s ghastly spell as the manager lasted 123 days in the early part of this season. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential though within a tiny sample size. The technical areas witnessed a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is 36, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides took the field. Rangers’ glaring short stature 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. Following up, the Argentine winger burst forward to knock Roma in front. The visitors without the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness despite decent results in this campaign, were delighted with their quick lead.

Rangers should have levelled matters instantly. Instead, the forward sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound signing from Everton has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physique to be an effective striker but seems unwilling or unable to use them.

The Italian outfit controlled first-half possession thereafter. Roma doubled their lead through their captain, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. The stadium, typically a raucous venue on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. The discontent which met the interval were timid; Rangers were clearly in the process of being outclassed.

After the break began against a curious backdrop. Those Rangers fans directed their focus for the latest time towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, clearly menacing in message, depicted the pair with bullseyes on their faces. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman thinks about the situation. After all, the chairman had an low-profile life as a successful businessman in the US before leading a acquisition of Rangers. Fans have not turned on the owner so far but there is a mutinous mood in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; Rangers’ management is completely unconvincing.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on goal on the 60-minute mark and hit the side netting. That moment sparked Rangers’ finest spell of the game, in which their substitute the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. It was, nonetheless, hard to gauge the visitors’ remaining attacking motivation until the full-back was presented with a chance from close range which he inexplicably lifted and onto the underside of the bar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were concerned. The series of substitutions from both teams resulted in this game ended more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. This of course suited the Italians fine. It prompted reflection to ponder 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 just participating.