Roma rollercoaster take on Rangers at low ebb in Europa League

Just over three years ago, Jose Mourinho guided them to the inaugural Conference League title, overcoming Feyenoord in Tirana, before leading them to the final of the Europa League 12 months later, losing on penalties to Sevilla in Budapest.

There is more than a flicker of light that more success is just around the corner, but Roma lost away from home for the first time this season last time out – AC Milan squeezing home 1-0 at the San Siro on Sunday.

For context, a win would have taken them to the Serie A summit for the first time in a decade and, like Rangers in their League Cup semi-final defeat by Celtic, they had plenty chances to do so in what was an entertaining contest.

Argentine World Cup hero Paulo Dybala had a late penalty saved in a game in which it was barely believable that only one goal was scored.

Dybala injured himself taking the spot-kick and will miss the trip to Ibrox, with his place likely going to Italy international Lorenzo Pellegrini.

Defender Angelinho, who scored against Rangers in the semi-finals of this tournament whilst at RB Leipzig in 2022 and Ireland forward Evan Ferguson, who is on loan from Brighton, are also absent.

Despite a promising start domestically, Roma’s Europa League campaign has spluttered. They beat Nice on the opening night but have been beaten by Lille and Viktoria Plzen in the Stadio Olimpico in their past two.

Thus they come to Scotland in need of a victory, with bottom-placed Rangers in an even poorer position.