It was yet another sobering night at Ibrox as the Light Blues were outclassed by Italian giants Roma
22:20, 06 Nov 2025Updated 22:22, 06 Nov 2025
Danny Rohl helped the Rangers fans set up their impressive Colosseum tifo before the game.
And at the interval more banners were unveiled aimed at the Ibrox villains.
But by the end, the only display concerning the manager was his team’s on the pitch.
Because this particular fight was a mis-match from the off, with Roma worthy victors.
The 2-0 loss to the Italians was Gers’ fourth on the spin in this competition – securing an unwanted club record of seven European defeats in a row.
Rangers’ Nasser Djiga appears dejected after conceding a second goal
It prompted more anger from the stands, with punters chanting for sporting director Kevin Thelwell to lose his job.
That won’t have gone unnoticed by American owner Andrew Cavenagh, who was in the Ibrox directors box.
But in the tie, Rangers were second best against the Serie A giants, who were 2-0 up after 36 minutes.
Matias Soule nodded in the opener at the back post after Rohl’s side failed to defend a corner.
Then Artem Dovbyk teed up Lorenzo Pellegrini to tuck away a second for Gian Piero Gasperini’s men.
Youssef Chermiti and sub Thelo Aasgaard had chances for Rangers which flashed wide – but no-one inside Ibrox could begrudge the visitors a victory.
Rangers banner
Here are five talking points from Ibrox
Eur almost out
After losing to Roma, Rangers now have a mountain to climb in order to try and qualify for the knock-out phase of the Europa League.
Having lost their first four games, only a remarkable turnaround in form and results will see them challenge the top half of the table.
They’re currently bottom of the 36-team pile after losses to Genk, Sturm Graz, Brann Bergen and Roma.
It’s not impossible for them to progress. A year ago, 10 points might have been enough to go through.
But even to hit that target – which won’t guarantee qualification – they’ll have to win three and draw one of their remaining games against Braga, Ludogorets, Ferencvaros and Porto.
Given their current form in Europe, that looks highly unlikely and you have to wonder whether Rohl will now prioritise the Scottish Premiership.
Meghoma mistakes
It might not have seemed that big an error at the time but when Jayden Meghoma’s slack pass from left-back went straight to a Roma player and led to a corner for the visitors it proved costly for Rangers.
And the young left-back on loan from Brentford is quickly finding out that you get punished for those types of lapses at this level.
On Sunday at Hampden against Celtic, it was Meghoma who was marking Johnny Kenny at corners and he lost the Irishman at the Hoops’ opening goal.
This was another tough game for him, up against an excellent Roma duo in Zeki Celik and goalscorer Matias Soule on his side.
Rangers are asking a lot of him at 19 to be the club’s only option in that position.
He’s still learning his trade at Ibrox but he has to eradicate sloppy mistakes from his game if he’s going to be a success.
Ropey rearguard
Rangers are conceding at least two goals a game in the Europa League, as well as shipping double figures in the Premiership.
There’s plenty for Rohl to sort out with this squad but his priority has to be the defence.
He switched to a back five, supposedly to make them harder to beat, but it didn’t work against Celtic and it was a similar story here.
AS Roma’s Lorenzo Pellegrini (L) scores to make it 2-0
Rohl rejigged the personnel but they looked vulnerable from the off against Roma and it was panic stations whenever they conceded a set-piece.
It’s incredible to think that – due to loans expiring or contracts ending – the entire five-man defence probably won’t be here at the start of next season.
For Roma’s first goal, they gave away a cheap corner then failed to win first or second contact as Soule scored.
At the second, John Souttar was sleeping as Artem Dovbyk took advantage to casually tee up an unmarked Pellegrini for 2-0.
Moore from Mikey
On a night when there were few bright sparks for Rangers, their best player was young Mikey Moore who is finally finding his feet at Ibrox under Rohl.
The on-loan Spurs kid found it tough to settle when he arrived and there were rumours that he might return to London.
The turmoil at Rangers didn’t help and the manager who signed him, Russell Martin, was sacked.
But since Rohl has taken over, Moore has looked better and he was their main attacking threat here against Roma.
In Gers’ new 3-4-2-1 formation he has thrived playing more infield rather than being stuck out on the wing.
He was signed as a wide player but he’s got the ability to play more centrally where he can cause teams problems.
And he was excellent when he came on against Celtic at Hampden .
Moore is still miles away from being the finished article and he still has to improve his end product.
But with so many new signings failing to deliver, the teenager might be ready to make an impact.
Italian job
Rangers weren’t at their best here but Roma proved to be a classy outfit as they got their European campaign back on track.
With a wily, experienced boss in Gasperini they looked the part at Ibrox and were at least a level above the home side.
They were at it from the first whistle – rock solid at the back, slick in midfield and clinical in the final third.
Lorenzo Pellegrini (2R) celebrates scoring
By half-time, they were two up but it could have been more – with Argentine attacker Matias Soule the chief tormentor.
The 22-year-old was a constant threat off the right side and sneaked in at the back post from a corner to give his side the lead.
The second goal was a terrific move involving Gianluca Mancini and Dovbyk, before the brilliant Pellegrini finished past Jack Butland.
Roma are still missing key players like Paulo Dybala but this was an impressive performance, which showed how far Rangers have to go before being properly competitive in the Europa League again.