🔗 Share this article

There was admirable efficiency in the way Roma handled this trip to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. The team from Rome did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when placing their European competition bid back on track. Observers noted a glaring difference in class between Roma and a the Scottish team side that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven continental matches in a row.

Positively, the home side at least fought hard during a later period when capitulation felt the probable option. Yet, the match was settled as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain rooted to the bottom of the tournament, which should constitute 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 result that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second-ever continental encounter with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in the early 60s. The previous one, against the Terrors 23 years later, became marred (to put it politely) by the bribing of a referee. In those days, teams from Scotland could vie with the top sides in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a level that will soon have major consequences.

Danny Röhl’s main quality so far as the fanbase are see it is that he is not his predecessor. The latter’s ghastly tenure as the head coach continued for just over four months 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 clash of generations; Röhl is 36, his opposite number the Roma manager is 67.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the teams took the field. Rangers’ obvious short stature against the Italians looked worrying. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante comfortably redirected a corner at the front post. At the back, the Argentine winger burst forward to fire Roma in front. A Roma team without the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness even with reasonable results in the tournament, were delighted with their early advantage.

Rangers should have levelled matters immediately. Rather, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the Roma defence. The player’s £8m purchase from Everton has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an effective centre forward but seems reluctant or incapable to use them.

The Italian outfit dominated opening period possession from that point. Roma extended their advantage through their captain, whose bent effort into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net came after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. Ibrox, usually a boisterous venue on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. Even the boos which met the half-time whistle were timid; the home team were clearly in the midst of being overwhelmed.

The second period began against a unusual atmosphere. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, clearly menacing in message, depicted the pair with bullseyes on their images. One wonders what the Rangers chairman thinks about all this. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before leading a takeover of Rangers. Fans have not turned on the owner yet but there is a mutinous feeling in the air. This is unsurprising; Rangers’ management is completely unconvincing.

Right on cue, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the hour mark and found only the side netting. This actually triggered Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their substitute the young midfielder fired just wide. Yet, nonetheless, hard to gauge Roma’s continued offensive intent until Zeki Celik was presented with a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably lifted and onto the bottom of the bar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful chances were involved. The raft of substitutions from each side resulted in this game closed more in the style of a summer exhibition than serious contest. That scenario benefited Roma fine. It prompted reflection to consider how exactly Rangers, finalists in this tournament in recently and strong enough of the quarter-finals a last year, reached the point of making up the numbers.