🔗 Share this article

Roma displayed impressive effectiveness in the way the Italian side handled this trip to Glasgow. Without much drama. The team from Rome did, however, face manageable rivals when putting their Europa League bid back on track. There was a obvious gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team squad that has now lost a team record seven European games consecutively.

Positively, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a later period when capitulation felt the probable option. Yet, the match was decided as a competition by then. The Scottish club remain anchored at the bottom of the tournament, which should constitute an disgrace to a club of such stature. Roma have eyes again on achieving significant success. Their only regret here was in not producing a result appropriately depicting men against boys.

Surprisingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second-ever continental encounter with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in the early 60s. The previous one, against Dundee United 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a referee. Back then, Scottish clubs could vie with the top sides in the continent. This season has seen the co-efficient plunge to a level that will soon have major consequences.

The new manager’s key attribute up to now as the Rangers support are concerned is that he is not his predecessor. The latter’s dismal spell as the head coach continued for just over four months in the early part of this season. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a tiny sample size. The technical areas witnessed a generation game; Röhl is 36, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

Another element was far more striking as the sides lined up. Rangers’ obvious short stature against the Italians looked ominous. This point was confirmed within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the near post. Following up, the Argentine winger burst forward to knock Roma in front. The visitors minus the injured Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been questioned for bluntness despite reasonable results in this campaign, were pleased with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side should have levelled matters instantly. Rather, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. The player’s £8m signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an effective striker but seems reluctant or incapable to use them.

The Italian outfit controlled opening period possession thereafter. Roma doubled their lead through their captain, whose curling shot into the far post of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will bemoan the fact the midfielder was left in complete freedom but it was a superb finish. Ibrox, usually a boisterous place on European nights, had been silenced nine minutes until halftime. Even the boos which greeted the half-time whistle were subdued; Rangers were simply in the process of being outclassed.

The second period began against a unusual backdrop. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions once again towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, obviously menacing in message, showed the duo with targets on their faces. One wonders what the club owner makes of the situation. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an low-profile life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before fronting a takeover of Rangers. Fans have not turned on Cavenagh yet but there is a rebellious feeling in the air. It is one which is unsurprising; Rangers’ leadership is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on the keeper on the hour mark and found only the side netting. That moment sparked the home side’s finest spell of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. It was, however, difficult to determine Roma’s remaining offensive intent until Zeki Celik was presented with a chance all of a yard out which he inexplicably hit up and onto the bottom of the bar.

That was it as far as clear-cut chances were involved. The raft of changes from each side resulted in this fixture ended more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. This of course suited Roma perfectly. It prompted reflection to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in 2022 and strong enough of the quarter-finals a season ago, reached the stage of making up the numbers.