🔗 Share this article

Roma displayed impressive effectiveness in the way the Italian side dealt with this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. Roma from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid back on track. There was a obvious gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers squad that has now lost a club record seven continental matches in a row.

To their credit, Rangers at least fought hard during a later period when capitulation felt the probable option. Yet, the game was settled as a contest at that stage. Rangers remain rooted to the foot of the tournament, which should constitute an embarrassment to a club of this standing. The Giallorossi have eyes again on making proper impact. Their only regret here was in not producing a result that truly reflected men against boys.

Amazingly, this represented only Roma’s second continental encounter with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in the early 60s. Their last such match, against Dundee United over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the bribing of a match official. In those days, teams from Scotland could compete with the best in the continent. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a point that will soon have huge ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute up to now as the Rangers support are see it is that he isn’t Russell Martin. Martin’s ghastly spell as the head coach continued for just over four months in the initial phase of the campaign. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The technical areas saw a clash of generations; Röhl is 36, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides lined up. Rangers’ obvious short stature against the visitors looked ominous. This point was proven within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante easily redirected a set-piece at the near post. Following up, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to knock Roma in front. The visitors minus the unavailable Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for bluntness despite decent results in this campaign, were delighted with their early advantage.

Rangers should have equalised immediately. Rather, the forward sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s £8m purchase from Everton has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an productive striker but appears reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit controlled first-half possession thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through their captain, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will lament the fact Pellegrini was left in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous strike. Ibrox, usually a raucous venue on European nights, had been silenced nine minutes before the break. Even the boos which greeted the half-time whistle were subdued; the home team were clearly in the process of being outclassed.

After the break started against a unusual backdrop. Supporters directed their focus for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and sporting director, the director. A pair of displays, clearly menacing in tone, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their faces. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman thinks about all this. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before fronting a acquisition of Rangers. Fans have not targeted the owner so far but there is a rebellious mood around the club. This is unsurprising; The team’s leadership is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, the striker was played in on goal on the 60-minute mark and found only the outside of the goal. This actually triggered the home side’s best period of the match, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. It was, however, difficult to determine the visitors’ remaining attacking motivation until the full-back was given a chance all of a yard out which he inexplicably hit up and on to the bottom of the bar.

That was it as far as clear-cut chances were involved. The raft of changes from each side meant this game closed more in the style of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. This of course suited Roma fine. There was cause to ponder how on earth Rangers, runners-up in this tournament in 2022 and worthy of the quarter-finals a last year, reached the stage of just participating.