Smith said the Milan game has made him hungrier for European football

Rangers manager Walter Smith says the glamour friendly against AC Milan has whetted his appetite for European competition next season.

The Ibrox side drew 2-2 with the Italians on Wednesday, with David Beckham, Kaka and Ronaldinho featuring in front of a crowd of about 45,000.

Smith's side had no European football this season after their Champions League qualifying defeat by FBK Kaunas.

"We have missed that more than anything else," said the Rangers manager.

DaMarcus Beasley opened the scoring for the hosts before Brazilians Pato and Kaka struck for Milan. Sasa Papac's late effort secured a draw for Rangers.

And Smith said the experience of playing against the Rossoneri would give his players added motivation to secure European football next season.

We started with a very young frontline and I felt they did very well Rangers manager Walter Smith

"I just think that it makes you a little bit hungry for more of that football and hopefully next season we can get back on track and have European football back at Ibrox," he said.

"It was a good work-out for us. We enjoyed it in many ways. It was a good game for us.

"It was good to get back and play against one of the top teams. Even though they don't have (Champions League) football themselves this year, their level of player would more than warrant that."

Smith added that he believed the game was a worthwhile run-out for his squad.

"I thought our boys were okay," he said. "We started with a very young frontline and I felt they did very well.

"Of Fleck, Lafferty and Naismith, Naismith is the oldest at 22 and I thought they played very well in the first half especially. It was a good exercise for us."

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