🔗 Share this article

Roma displayed impressive effectiveness about the way Roma dealt with this trip to Glasgow. Without much drama. The team from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when putting their European competition bid on the right path. There was a glaring difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers side that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven European games consecutively.

To their credit, the home side at least fought hard during a second half when capitulation felt the more likely outcome. Yet, the game was settled as a contest at that stage. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the Europa League, which should constitute an embarrassment to a team of this standing. Roma have eyes again on achieving significant success. Their only regret in this match was in not delivering a result that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this marked only Roma’s second European joust with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in 1961. Their last such match, against Dundee United 23 years later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a referee. Back then, teams from Scotland could vie with the top sides in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a level that will soon have huge consequences.

The new manager’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are concerned is that he isn’t Russell Martin. The latter’s ghastly spell as the manager continued for just over four months in the early part of this season. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise though within a tiny sample size. The dugouts witnessed a clash of generations; Röhl is 36, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

Another element was far more striking as the sides lined up. The home team’s obvious short stature against the Italians looked ominous. This point was proven within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the front post. Following up, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to fire Roma ahead. A Roma team without the unavailable Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with reasonable performances in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.

Rangers could have levelled matters immediately. Instead, the forward sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound signing from Everton has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. 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 first-half the ball thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will bemoan the fact Pellegrini was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. Ibrox, usually a boisterous venue on European nights, had been silenced nine minutes before the break. The discontent which greeted the interval were subdued; the home team were simply in the midst of being outclassed.

The second period started against a curious backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, clearly menacing in message, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their faces. It raises questions what the club owner makes of the situation. After all, Andrew Cavenagh had an anonymous career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before fronting a takeover of this club. Fans have not turned on the owner so far but there is a rebellious feeling around the club. This is easy to understand; The team’s leadership is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, Chermiti was sent through on the keeper on the hour mark and hit the outside of the goal. That moment sparked the home side’s finest spell of the game, in which their substitute the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. It was, nonetheless, hard to determine the visitors’ continued offensive intent until Zeki Celik was given a chance all of a yard out which he inexplicably lifted and on to the underside of the crossbar.

That was it as far as clear-cut chances were concerned. The series of changes from each side meant this game closed more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. This of course suited the Italians fine. There was cause to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in recently and strong enough of the last eight a last year, arrived at the stage of just participating.