🔗 Share this article

Roma displayed admirable efficiency about the way the Italian side dealt with this journey to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. The team from Rome did, however, face manageable rivals when putting their European competition bid back on track. Observers noted a obvious gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers squad that has now lost a club record seven European games in a row.

Positively, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a later period when capitulation felt the more likely outcome. Yet, the game was decided as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain rooted to the bottom of the Europa League, which should represent an embarrassment to a club of this standing. Roma have ambitions once more on making proper impact. Their only regret here was in not delivering a result that truly reflected men against boys.

Amazingly, this marked only Roma’s second-ever European joust with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in 1961. Their last such match, against the Terrors over two decades later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a referee. In those days, teams from Scotland could vie with the best in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will shortly have major consequences.

The new manager’s main quality so far as the fanbase are see it is that he isn’t Russell Martin. Martin’s dismal tenure as the manager continued for just over four months in the initial phase of the campaign. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a tiny sample size. The technical areas saw a clash of generations; Röhl is 36, his opposite number the Roma manager is 67.

Another element was far more striking as the teams took the field. Rangers’ obvious lack of height against the visitors looked worrying. This point was confirmed within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the front post. At the back, Matías Soulé burst forward to fire Roma in front. The visitors minus the injured Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge despite decent performances in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.

Rangers should have levelled matters instantly. Instead, the forward sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. The player’s £8m signing from Everton has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an productive centre forward but appears unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated opening period the ball from that point. Roma extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. The stadium, typically a boisterous place on European nights, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. Even the boos which greeted the half-time whistle were subdued; the home team were simply in the process of being overwhelmed.

The second period began against a unusual atmosphere. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously sinister in tone, showed the pair with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the club owner makes of all this. After all, the chairman enjoyed an anonymous career as a successful businessman in the US before leading a acquisition of Rangers. Fans have not targeted Cavenagh yet but there is a mutinous feeling in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; Rangers’ leadership is wholly unconvincing.

As if scripted, Chermiti was sent through on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and hit the outside of the goal. This actually triggered Rangers’ best period of the match, in which their substitute the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. It was, nonetheless, difficult to gauge Roma’s remaining offensive intent until Zeki Celik was presented with a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably lifted and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut chances were involved. The raft of substitutions from both teams resulted in this game ended more in the style of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. This of course suited the Italians perfectly. It prompted reflection to ponder how on earth Rangers, runners-up in this tournament in 2022 and strong enough of the last eight a last year, arrived at the point of making up the numbers.