🔗 Share this article

Roma displayed impressive effectiveness about the way the Italian side handled this journey to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Rome did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when putting their Europa League bid on the right path. Observers noted a glaring gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team squad that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven European games in a row.

To their credit, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a later period when capitulation felt the more likely option. Yet, the match was decided as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain rooted to the foot of the Europa League, which should constitute an embarrassment to a team of such stature. Roma have ambitions once more on making proper impact. 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-ever European joust with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in 1961. Their last such match, against the Terrors over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the bribing of a referee. Back then, teams from Scotland could compete with the top sides in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will soon have huge consequences.

Danny Röhl’s main quality so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he is not his predecessor. Martin’s ghastly tenure as the manager continued for just over four months in the initial phase of this season. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The dugouts witnessed a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is 36, his counterpart the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

Another element was far more striking as the teams took the field. The home team’s obvious short stature against the visitors looked worrying. This point was proven within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder easily redirected a corner at the front post. At the back, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to knock his team ahead. A Roma team minus the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with decent performances in this campaign, were pleased with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side could have levelled matters immediately. Instead, the forward screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s £8m purchase from Everton has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an effective striker but appears unwilling or unable to use them.

The Italian outfit controlled first-half possession thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through their captain, whose bent effort into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net came after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a superb strike. The stadium, usually a raucous place on European nights, had been silenced with time still remaining before the break. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were subdued; Rangers were simply in the midst of being overwhelmed.

After the break began against a curious atmosphere. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the top executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, clearly sinister in message, showed the pair with bullseyes on their faces. One wonders what the club owner thinks about the situation. After all, Andrew Cavenagh had an anonymous career as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a takeover of this club. Fans have not targeted Cavenagh yet but there is a mutinous mood in the air. This is unsurprising; Rangers’ management is completely 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 game, in which their replacement the young midfielder fired just wide. It was, nonetheless, difficult to determine Roma’s continued attacking motivation until the full-back was presented with a opportunity all of a yard out which he inexplicably lifted and on to the underside of the bar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were involved. The raft of changes from each side meant this fixture closed more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. That scenario benefited the Italians fine. It prompted reflection to consider how exactly Rangers, runners-up in this competition in 2022 and strong enough of the quarter-finals a last year, reached the stage of making up the numbers.