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There was impressive effectiveness in the way the Italian side handled this trip to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Rome did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when putting their Europa League bid on the right path. There was a obvious difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team side that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven European games in a row.

Positively, the home side at least fought hard during a second half when surrender felt the probable outcome. However, the match was settled as a competition by then. Rangers remain rooted to the bottom of the tournament, which should represent an embarrassment to a club of this standing. The Giallorossi have eyes once more on making proper impact. One slight disappointment here was in not delivering a scoreline appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this marked only Roma’s second continental encounter with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in the early 60s. Their last such match, against Dundee United over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the corruption of a referee. Back then, Scottish clubs could compete with the best in the continent. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a point that will shortly have major consequences.

The new manager’s main quality up to now as the Rangers support are see it is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s dismal spell as the head coach continued for just over four months in the initial phase of this season. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise though within a limited timeframe. The dugouts witnessed a generation game; the Rangers boss is 36, his counterpart the Roma manager is 67.

A further factor was far more striking as the sides lined up. The home team’s glaring lack of height against the visitors looked worrying. That concern was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante comfortably redirected a corner at the front post. Following up, Matías Soulé burst forward to knock his team in front. A Roma team without the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge despite reasonable performances in the tournament, were pleased with their early advantage.

Rangers should have levelled matters instantly. Instead, the forward screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the Roma defence. The player’s £8m signing from Everton has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physique to be an productive striker but appears reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit dominated opening period possession from that point. They 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 lament the fact Pellegrini was left in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous finish. The stadium, typically a raucous venue on continental evenings, had been silenced nine minutes until halftime. The discontent which greeted the half-time whistle were subdued; Rangers were simply 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, the CEO, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, clearly sinister in tone, showed the duo with bullseyes on their faces. One wonders what the Rangers chairman thinks about all this. After all, the chairman had an anonymous career as a successful businessman in the US before fronting a acquisition of this club. Fans have not turned on the owner yet but there is a mutinous feeling in the air. It is one which is unsurprising; The team’s leadership is completely unimpressive.

As if scripted, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and hit the outside of the goal. That moment sparked Rangers’ finest spell of the game, in which their substitute the young midfielder fired just wide. It was, however, hard to gauge Roma’s continued attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was given a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably hit up and on to the underside of the bar.

That was it as far as meaningful opportunity were concerned. The raft of substitutions from both teams resulted in this fixture closed more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than serious contest. That scenario benefited Roma perfectly. There was cause to consider how exactly Rangers, runners-up in this tournament in 2022 and worthy of the last eight a season ago, reached the point of making up the numbers.