🔗 Share this article

Roma displayed admirable efficiency in the way the Italian side handled this journey to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. The team from Rome did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when putting their European competition bid back on track. There was a obvious difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers squad that has now lost a team record seven European games consecutively.

Positively, the home side at least fought hard during a later period when capitulation felt the probable option. Yet, the game was settled as a contest by then. Rangers remain rooted to the foot of the tournament, which should represent an disgrace to a club of this standing. The Giallorossi have eyes once more on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment here was in not producing a result that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second European joust with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibs in the early 60s. Their last such match, against Dundee United 23 years later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a match official. Back then, Scottish clubs could vie with the best in Europe. The current campaign has seen the co-efficient plunge to a point that will soon have major ramifications.

The new manager’s key attribute up to now as the Rangers support are see it is that he is not Russell Martin. The latter’s ghastly tenure as the manager lasted 123 days in the initial phase of the campaign. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise though within a limited timeframe. The technical areas saw a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is 36, his opposite number the Roma manager is 67.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the sides lined up. Rangers’ glaring short stature against the visitors looked ominous. This point was proven within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante easily flicked on a set-piece at the near post. Following up, the Argentine winger burst forward to knock Roma ahead. A Roma team minus the unavailable Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge even with reasonable performances in this campaign, were delighted with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side should have equalised instantly. 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 increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an productive centre forward but seems unwilling or unable to use them.

Roma controlled opening period the ball from that point. Roma doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will bemoan the fact Pellegrini was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb strike. Ibrox, typically a boisterous place on continental evenings, had been quietened with time still remaining before the break. The discontent which greeted 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 directed their focus once again towards the top executive, the CEO, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, clearly sinister in message, depicted the pair with targets on their images. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about the situation. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh had an anonymous career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before leading a acquisition of this club. Paying punters have not turned on the owner yet but there is a rebellious feeling in the air. It is one which is unsurprising; The team’s management is wholly unimpressive.

Right on cue, Chermiti was sent through on the keeper on the hour mark and found only the side netting. That moment sparked Rangers’ finest spell of the match, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. Yet, nonetheless, difficult to determine Roma’s continued offensive intent until Zeki Celik was given a opportunity all of a yard out which he somehow hit up and onto the bottom of the bar.

That was it as far as meaningful opportunity were concerned. The raft of substitutions from each side resulted in this game closed more in the style of a summer exhibition than competitive match. This of course suited Roma perfectly. It prompted reflection to consider how on earth the Glasgow club, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and worthy of the last eight a last year, reached the stage of making up the numbers.