🔗 Share this article

There was admirable efficiency about the way the Italian side handled this journey to Glasgow. 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 gulf in quality between Roma and a Rangers side that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven continental matches in a row.

To their credit, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a later period when surrender felt the probable outcome. Yet, the match was decided as a competition by then. Rangers remain rooted to the foot of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a club of this standing. The Giallorossi have ambitions once more on making proper impact. One slight disappointment here was in not delivering a scoreline that truly reflected men against boys.

Surprisingly, this represented only Roma’s second-ever European joust with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in the early 60s. The previous one, against Dundee United over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a referee. Back then, Scottish clubs could vie with the best in the continent. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a point that will shortly have huge ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he isn’t his predecessor. The latter’s dismal spell as the head coach lasted 123 days in the early part of this season. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a generation game; Röhl is 36, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides lined up. The home team’s obvious lack of height against the Italians looked worrying. This point was proven within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante easily flicked on a corner at the near post. At the back, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to fire his team in front. The visitors without the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge despite reasonable results in this campaign, were delighted with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side could have levelled matters instantly. Rather, the forward screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. The player’s eight-million-pound purchase from Everton has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an productive striker but appears reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

Roma controlled opening period the ball thereafter. Roma doubled their lead through their captain, whose bent effort into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will lament the fact Pellegrini stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, usually a boisterous place on European nights, had been quietened with time still remaining until halftime. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were subdued; Rangers were clearly in the midst of being outclassed.

The second period started against a unusual backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions once again towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. A pair of displays, obviously sinister in message, showed the pair with bullseyes on their faces. One wonders what the club owner makes of the situation. After all, the chairman enjoyed an low-profile life as a successful businessman in the United States before leading a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not targeted the owner yet but there is a mutinous mood around the club. This is unsurprising; Rangers’ management is wholly 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 match, in which their replacement the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. It was, however, difficult to determine the visitors’ continued offensive intent until Zeki Celik was given a opportunity from close range which he somehow hit up and on to the underside of the crossbar.

That was it as far as clear-cut opportunity were involved. The raft of changes from each side meant this game ended more in the style of a summer exhibition than serious contest. This of course suited the Italians perfectly. There was cause to ponder how exactly Rangers, finalists in this competition in recently and strong enough of the last eight a last year, arrived at the point of making up the numbers.