🔗 Share this article

Roma displayed admirable efficiency about the way Roma dealt with this trip to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Rome did, however, face manageable rivals when putting their Europa League bid on the right path. There was a glaring difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team side that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven continental matches consecutively.

To their credit, Rangers at least fought hard during a later period when surrender felt the more likely outcome. Yet, the game was settled as a contest by then. The Scottish club remain rooted to the bottom of the Europa League, which should constitute an disgrace 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 delivering a scoreline that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this represented only Roma’s second-ever continental encounter with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures 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 match official. In those days, teams from Scotland could compete with the best in the continent. This season has seen the co-efficient plunge to a point that will soon have major consequences.

Danny Röhl’s main quality so far as the fanbase are concerned is that he is not his predecessor. Martin’s ghastly spell as the head coach lasted 123 days in the initial phase of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential though within a tiny sample size. The dugouts witnessed a generation game; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

Another element was far more striking as the teams lined up. Rangers’ obvious short stature against the Italians looked worrying. This point was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the near post. At the back, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to fire Roma in front. A Roma team without the injured Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been questioned for bluntness despite reasonable performances in this campaign, were pleased with their quick lead.

Rangers could have equalised instantly. Rather, the forward screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. The player’s eight-million-pound signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an effective striker but appears reluctant or incapable to use them.

The Italian outfit controlled first-half the ball thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through their captain, whose curling shot into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will lament the fact Pellegrini was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. Ibrox, typically a boisterous place on European nights, had been silenced nine minutes before the break. Even the boos which met the half-time whistle were subdued; Rangers were simply in the midst of being overwhelmed.

The second period started against a curious backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, clearly menacing in tone, showed the pair with bullseyes on their faces. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman makes of all this. After all, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before fronting a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not turned on the owner so far but there is a mutinous feeling in the air. This is unsurprising; The team’s leadership is completely unconvincing.

Right on cue, the striker was sent through on the keeper on the hour mark and hit the side netting. That moment sparked Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. Yet, nonetheless, hard to determine Roma’s continued offensive intent until the full-back was presented with a opportunity all of a yard out which he inexplicably hit up and onto the bottom of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful chances were concerned. The raft of substitutions from both teams meant this fixture ended more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than serious contest. That scenario benefited the Italians perfectly. There was cause to ponder how on earth the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in recently and worthy of the last eight a last year, arrived at the point of just participating.