🔗 Share this article

There was admirable efficiency about the way the Italian side dealt with this journey to Glasgow. Without much drama. Roma from Italy’s capital did, however, meet favourable opposition when putting their European competition bid on the right path. Observers noted a obvious difference in class between Roma and a Rangers squad that has now lost a club record seven European games consecutively.

To their credit, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a second half when surrender felt the probable option. However, the match was decided as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain rooted to the foot of the tournament, which should represent an disgrace to a team of this standing. The Giallorossi have ambitions once more on achieving significant success. Their only regret in this match was in not producing a result that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second continental encounter with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in the early 60s. The previous one, against the Terrors over two decades later, became marred (to put it politely) by the corruption of a match official. In those days, Scottish clubs could vie with the best in the continent. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a point that will shortly have major ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are concerned is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s ghastly tenure as the manager continued for 123 days in the early part of this season. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has shown promise though within a tiny sample size. The dugouts witnessed a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the sides took the field. Rangers’ glaring lack of height against the visitors looked worrying. That concern was proven within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante easily flicked on a set-piece at the near post. At the back, the Argentine winger burst forward to fire Roma in front. A Roma team minus the injured Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been questioned for bluntness despite decent results in the tournament, were pleased with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side could have levelled matters immediately. Rather, the forward sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound signing from Everton has piled pressure on the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an effective centre forward but appears unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated first-half possession thereafter. They extended their advantage through their captain, whose bent effort into the far post of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will lament the fact the midfielder stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous finish. Ibrox, usually a boisterous venue on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. Even the boos which met the interval were timid; Rangers were simply in the process of being overwhelmed.

The second period began against a unusual backdrop. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions for the latest time towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, the director. Two banners, obviously sinister in tone, depicted the pair with targets on their faces. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about the situation. Ultimately, 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 mood in the air. This is easy to understand; The team’s leadership is wholly unimpressive.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and hit the outside of the goal. This actually triggered the home side’s best period of the game, in which their substitute the young midfielder fired just wide. It was, nonetheless, hard to gauge Roma’s continued attacking motivation until the full-back was presented with a chance all of a yard out which he inexplicably hit up and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That was it as far as clear-cut opportunity were concerned. The series of changes from both teams meant this game ended more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than serious contest. That scenario benefited the Italians perfectly. It prompted reflection to consider how exactly the Glasgow club, finalists in this competition in 2022 and strong enough of the quarter-finals a last year, reached the point of just participating.