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Roma displayed admirable efficiency about the way Roma dealt with this trip to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. The team from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when putting their Europa League bid on the right path. Observers noted a obvious difference in class between Roma and a Rangers side that has now lost a team record seven continental matches in a row.

Positively, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a later period when capitulation felt the more likely option. However, the match was decided as a contest at that stage. The Scottish club remain rooted to the foot of the tournament, which should represent an embarrassment to a team of this standing. Roma have eyes once more on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment here was in not delivering a scoreline that truly reflected men against boys.

Surprisingly, this marked only Roma’s second-ever European joust with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in 1961. The previous one, against Dundee United over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a match official. In those days, teams from Scotland could compete with the top sides in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a point that will soon have huge ramifications.

The new manager’s main quality so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he isn’t Russell Martin. The latter’s dismal spell as the manager lasted 123 days in the early part of the campaign. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has shown promise though within a limited timeframe. The technical areas witnessed a clash of generations; Röhl is thirty-six, his opposite number the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

A further factor was far more striking 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 redirected a corner at the near post. At the back, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to knock his team ahead. A Roma team without the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for bluntness despite decent performances in the tournament, were delighted with their quick lead.

Rangers should have equalised instantly. Instead, the forward screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound purchase from Everton has piled pressure on the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an effective centre forward but seems reluctant or incapable to use them.

Roma dominated opening period possession thereafter. They extended their advantage through their captain, whose bent effort into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net came after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will bemoan the fact the midfielder was left in complete freedom but it was a superb strike. The stadium, usually a boisterous place on continental evenings, had been silenced with time still remaining before the break. Even the boos which greeted the interval were timid; the home team were clearly in the process of being overwhelmed.

After the break started against a curious backdrop. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions once again towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, obviously menacing in tone, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their faces. One wonders what the club owner thinks about all this. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before leading a acquisition of Rangers. Paying punters have not targeted Cavenagh yet but there is a rebellious feeling around the club. It is one which is unsurprising; Rangers’ leadership is completely unconvincing.

Right on cue, the striker was sent through on goal on the hour mark and hit the side netting. That moment sparked the home side’s finest spell of the match, in which their replacement the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. It was, nonetheless, hard to determine Roma’s continued attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was given a opportunity from close range which he somehow lifted and on to the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were involved. The series of changes from both teams meant this game ended more in the style of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. This of course suited the Italians perfectly. It prompted reflection to ponder how on earth Rangers, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and strong enough of the last eight a season ago, reached the point of making up the numbers.