🔗 Share this article

There was impressive effectiveness in the way Roma dealt with this trip to Glasgow. Without much drama. The team from Italy’s capital did, however, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid on the right path. Observers noted a glaring gulf in quality between Roma and a the Scottish team side that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven continental matches consecutively.

Positively, the home side at least fought hard during a later period when capitulation felt the probable option. Yet, the match was decided as a contest at that stage. The Scottish club remain anchored at the bottom of the tournament, which should constitute an disgrace to a club of this standing. The Giallorossi have ambitions once more on making proper impact. Their only regret in this match was in not producing a result appropriately depicting men against boys.

Amazingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second continental encounter with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in 1961. Their last such match, against Dundee United over two decades later, became marred (to put it politely) by the bribing of a referee. Back then, teams from Scotland could vie with the best in the continent. This season has seen the co-efficient drop to a level that will soon have major ramifications.

The new manager’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s dismal tenure as the head coach lasted 123 days in the early part of this season. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a tiny sample size. The dugouts witnessed a generation game; Röhl is 36, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the teams lined up. Rangers’ glaring lack of height against the Italians looked ominous. This point was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante comfortably redirected a set-piece at the front post. Following up, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to fire Roma in front. The visitors minus the injured Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge despite decent performances in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side should have levelled matters immediately. Rather, the forward sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound signing from Everton has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physical attributes to be an effective striker but appears unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit dominated opening period the ball thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through their captain, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will lament the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous strike. Ibrox, typically a boisterous venue on European nights, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. The discontent which greeted the half-time whistle were timid; the home team were simply in the midst of being overwhelmed.

The second period began against a unusual atmosphere. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and sporting director, the director. A pair of displays, clearly menacing in message, depicted the pair with bullseyes on their faces. One wonders what the club owner thinks about all this. After all, the chairman had an low-profile life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before leading a acquisition of this club. Fans have not targeted the owner so far but there is a rebellious feeling around the club. This is easy to understand; The team’s leadership is completely unimpressive.

Right on cue, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and found only the outside of the goal. This actually triggered Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their substitute the young midfielder fired just wide. It was, however, difficult to determine Roma’s remaining attacking motivation until the full-back was presented with a chance from close range which he inexplicably hit up and on to the bottom of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were involved. The raft of substitutions from each side meant this fixture closed more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than competitive match. This of course suited Roma perfectly. It prompted reflection to ponder how on earth Rangers, runners-up in this tournament in recently and worthy of the quarter-finals a season ago, arrived at the point of just participating.