Police Scotland is investigating after Rangers players Emmanuel Fernandez and Djeidi Gassama shared screenshots of racist abuse aimed at them on their social media accounts after Sunday's match in Livingston.

London-born centre-half Emmanuel Fernandez, who qualifies to play for Nigeria, and France Under-20 capped winger Gassama, who was born in Mauritania, both started for Rangers as their title hopes suffered a blow by being held to a 2-2 draw by the Scottish Premiership's bottom side.

The abuse on Instagram that followed coincides with police in England confirming they are investigating after four Premier League players were targeted by online racial abuse at the weekend.

A Police Scotland spokesperson told BBC Scotland: "We are aware of offensive posts online and enquiries are at an early stage."

Rangers have been approached for comment.

Last month, Livingston wrote to the Scottish FA over an alleged racial comment made to striker Jeremy Bokila during their Premiership defeat by Aberdeen.

And, after Saturday's 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge, Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri and Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana both received racist abuse on Instagram.

On Sunday, Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Tolu Arokodare and Sunderland winger Romaine Mundle were also sent racist abuse on social media.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's official spokesman described the abuse as "abhorrent", adding: "The Prime Minister has supported footballers before who have had the courage to come forward and call out discrimination and racism and this is no different."

The spokesman pointed out that English top-flight clubs have said they want to work with social media sites, including Meta, the Premier League and the police to identify those responsible.

"And Meta has said that it will continue to work to protect people from abuse," he said. "Ministers will be holding them to account to ensure it happens."

Anti-discrimination group Kick It Out said it had been an "appalling weekend" but "the sad fact is, we know it happens regularly".

In November, a BBC investigation found more than 2,000 extremely abusive social media posts - including death and rape threats - were sent about managers and players in the Premier League and Women's Super League in a single weekend.