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There was admirable efficiency in the way Roma handled this journey to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. The team from Italy’s capital did, however, face manageable rivals when putting their Europa League bid on the right path. Observers noted a obvious difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team squad that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven European games in a row.

To their credit, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a later period when surrender felt the probable option. Yet, the game was settled as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should constitute an embarrassment to a club of such stature. The Giallorossi have eyes again on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment in this match was in not delivering a scoreline appropriately depicting men against boys.

Amazingly, this represented only Roma’s second European joust with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibs in 1961. The previous one, against Dundee United over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the corruption of a match official. In those days, Scottish clubs could compete with the top sides in the continent. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a point that will shortly have major consequences.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute up to now as the fanbase are concerned is that he isn’t his predecessor. The latter’s ghastly spell as the manager lasted just over four months in the early part of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his opposite number the Roma manager is 67.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the teams took the field. Rangers’ glaring lack of height against the visitors looked ominous. This point was proven within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante comfortably flicked on a corner at the near post. Following up, Matías Soulé burst forward to knock his team in front. A Roma team without the unavailable Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with decent results in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.

Rangers should have equalised instantly. Rather, the forward sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound signing from Everton has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an productive striker but seems unwilling or unable to use them.

Roma controlled opening period the ball thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net came after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will lament the fact Pellegrini was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. The stadium, typically a raucous place on continental evenings, had been silenced with time still remaining until halftime. Even the boos which greeted the interval were timid; the home team were clearly in the midst of being overwhelmed.

After the break began against a unusual atmosphere. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions for the latest time towards the top executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, the director. Two banners, clearly sinister in message, showed the duo with targets on their faces. One wonders what the club owner makes of the situation. After all, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before fronting a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not targeted the owner yet but there is a mutinous feeling around the club. This is easy to understand; The team’s leadership is wholly unimpressive.

Right on cue, the striker was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and hit the outside of the goal. This actually triggered the home side’s best period of the game, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. It was, nonetheless, difficult to gauge the visitors’ remaining attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was presented with a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably lifted and on to the bottom of the bar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful chances were involved. The series of changes from each side resulted in this game closed more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. This of course suited the Italians fine. It prompted reflection to consider how on earth Rangers, runners-up in this tournament in recently and worthy of the last eight a season ago, arrived at the stage of just participating.