🔗 Share this article

There was impressive effectiveness in the way Roma dealt with this journey to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. The team from Rome did, however, face manageable rivals when putting their European competition bid on the right path. Observers noted a glaring gulf in quality between Roma and a Rangers side that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven continental matches in a row.

Positively, the home side at least fought hard during a later period when capitulation felt the more likely option. Yet, the match was settled as a contest by then. Rangers remain rooted to the foot of the tournament, which should constitute an embarrassment to a team of such stature. Roma have ambitions again on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment here was in not delivering a scoreline appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second-ever continental encounter with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in the early 60s. Their last such match, against the Terrors 23 years later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a referee. Back then, teams from Scotland could compete with the top sides in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a point that will shortly have major ramifications.

The new manager’s key attribute up to now as the Rangers support are concerned is that he isn’t Russell Martin. Martin’s dismal spell as the manager continued for just over four months in the initial phase of this season. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The technical areas saw a generation game; Röhl is thirty-six, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

A further factor was far more striking as the sides lined up. The home team’s glaring short stature against the Italians looked ominous. That concern was proven within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante comfortably redirected a corner at the front post. Following up, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to knock Roma in front. A Roma team without the unavailable their young striker and their star attacker, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with decent results in the tournament, were delighted with their quick lead.

Rangers could have equalised instantly. Instead, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound purchase from Everton has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physical attributes to be an effective centre forward but appears unwilling or unable to use them.

Roma controlled first-half the ball thereafter. They extended their advantage through their captain, whose curling shot into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous finish. Ibrox, typically a boisterous venue on continental evenings, had been silenced with time still remaining until halftime. Even the boos which greeted the half-time whistle were timid; the home team were simply in the midst of being overwhelmed.

The second period started against a unusual backdrop. Supporters directed their focus for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, obviously menacing in tone, depicted the pair with targets on their images. It raises questions what the club owner makes of the situation. After all, the chairman enjoyed an low-profile career as a successful businessman in the United States before leading a acquisition of this club. Fans have not targeted Cavenagh yet but there is a mutinous feeling in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; Rangers’ management is completely unimpressive.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on goal on the hour mark and hit the side netting. This actually triggered Rangers’ finest spell of the match, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. Yet, nonetheless, difficult to determine the visitors’ remaining offensive intent until the full-back was presented with a chance from close range which he somehow lifted and onto the bottom of the crossbar.

That was it as far as clear-cut chances were involved. The series of substitutions from each side resulted in this fixture closed more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. That scenario benefited the Italians fine. It prompted reflection to consider how exactly Rangers, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and worthy of the last eight a last year, arrived at the point of making up the numbers.