🔗 Share this article

There was admirable efficiency in the way the Italian side handled this journey to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when putting their European competition bid on the right path. Observers noted a glaring difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers side that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven European games in a row.

To their credit, Rangers at least fought hard during a later period when surrender felt the probable outcome. Yet, the match was settled as a contest at that stage. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should constitute an disgrace to a club of such stature. Roma have eyes again on making proper impact. Their only regret in this match was in not delivering a scoreline appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this represented only Roma’s second European joust with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in the early 60s. The previous one, against Dundee United over two decades later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a referee. In those days, teams from Scotland could compete with the top sides in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a point that will soon have huge consequences.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute up to now as the Rangers support are concerned is that he is not Russell Martin. The latter’s dismal spell as the head coach continued for just over four months in the initial phase of this season. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a tiny sample size. The technical areas saw a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is 36, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

Another element was far more striking as the sides took the field. Rangers’ glaring short stature against the visitors looked worrying. This point was proven within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder comfortably redirected a corner at the near post. Following up, the Argentine winger burst forward to fire Roma ahead. A Roma team without the injured Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been questioned for bluntness despite reasonable results in the tournament, were delighted with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side should have equalised immediately. Instead, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound purchase from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physical attributes to be an effective centre forward but appears reluctant or incapable to use them.

The Italian outfit dominated opening period the ball thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous strike. Ibrox, typically a boisterous venue on continental evenings, had been quietened with time still remaining until halftime. Even the boos which greeted the half-time whistle were subdued; the home team were simply in the midst of being outclassed.

The second period started against a curious backdrop. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and sporting director, the director. A pair of displays, obviously sinister in message, showed the pair with targets on their images. One wonders what the Rangers chairman makes of the situation. After all, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an anonymous life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before fronting a takeover of Rangers. Fans have not targeted Cavenagh yet but there is a rebellious mood around the club. It is one which is unsurprising; Rangers’ leadership is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and found only the side netting. This actually triggered Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. It was, however, difficult to gauge Roma’s continued attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was presented with a chance all of a yard out which he somehow lifted and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful chances were involved. The series of changes from each side meant this fixture ended more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than competitive match. This of course suited Roma fine. It prompted reflection to consider how on earth the Glasgow club, runners-up in this tournament in 2022 and worthy of the last eight a last year, reached the stage of just participating.