Rangers defender Pat Kanyuka has been granted his first international call up from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The 19 year old has been requested for the Congo's match against Gabon which will be played at the Stade Jules Deschaseaux in France. The friendly game on February 6 acts as part of the build up to the African Cup of Nations in Ghana in 2008.

Kanyuka will line up alongside a host of Premiership and Championship stars including Portsmouth's Lomana LuaLua, Chelsea's Yves Makaba-Makalamby, Fulham's Gabriel Zakuani, Newcastle's Charles N'Zogbia, Blackburn Rovers' Shabani Nonda and Southampton's Cedric Baseya.

Kanyuka was delighted with the news: "Every footballer wants to play for their country, I was born there, as was my Dad and my parents are really proud of me. They will both be at the game watching as a lot of my family live out in France.

"When I spoke to the country's football federation, they told me that they were looking to build a youthful side and I was amazed at the talent that we have in the Premiership these days. For so long it was only really the likes of LuaLua that everyone had heard of, but now there is a whole host of household names in the Premiership.

"I'll learn so much in that week away, even just training with the likes of Lomana and Shabani Nonda will be an experience.

"I'm really looking forward to it and I think Congo have got a great shot in Ghana next year."

Qualification has already begun with Congo topping their group with four points after two games. They currently sit above Ethiopia, Namibia and Libya.