SATIRICAL graffiti challenging sectarianism has appeared next to both Ibrox and Parkhead stadiums.

Images of the murals surfaced on social media, depicting the Pope wearing a Rangers scarf and the Queen in a Celtic one as both engage in a friendly game of football.

The photos were posted online by anonymous artist The Pink Bear Rebel, known for entertaining the Scottish public with satirical graffiti and hilarious, politically-charged work.

READ MORE: ‘Folk are panicked’ - Iconic Rangers pub claims vandalism on walls result of Steven Gerrard signing

He captioned them: “The bears comment on the division and potential unity within Scottish football and within Scotland as a whole.

“One located at Ibrox and the other at Celtic park (G51 2XD, G31 1HP).”

Nil By Mouth, Scotland’s leading anti-sectarian charity, praised the artwork for working to change people’s outlook.

Cara Henderson, who set up the groundbreaking charity when she was a teenager, was crowned the 52nd Evening Times Scotswoman of the Year back in 2015.

Director, Dave Scott, told the Evening Times: “This is quite a satirical piece of graffiti that wants to challenge the assumptions of many of those who will see it.

READ MORE: East End mum who struggled in mixed Rangers and Celtic family wows with powerful sectarianism painting

“The city has seen a rise in sectarian graffiti in recent months, and we’ve been putting the case for creating more positive pieces of artwork, challenging sectarianism to show Glasgow is bigger, better and bolder than bigotry.

“Obviously, that’s something the artist involved supports.”

In March, the Evening Times reported how an East End mum’s heartfelt warning about the dangers of passing on sectarian attitudes to children scooped first prize in a competition run by campaigners.

Glasgow Times:
Torn by Kelly Coyle

Dave has now revealed the charity is in discussions with Glasgow City Council to turn that image into a huge mural somewhere in the city.

Kelly Coyle’s photograph ‘Torn’ was chosen as the winner of Nil by Mouth’s Pitch Perfect art competition held in conjunction with Glasgow Kelvin College.

READ MORE: Vile sectarian abuse hurled at Rangers striker Michael O’Halloran after Catholic church visit

The powerful photograph showed a young boy being pulled in different directions - one arm draped in Rangers colours and the other in Celtic’s - by those eager to ‘claim’ him as their own, with little thought to the child’s right to choose his own path in life.

The 27-year-old mum and wife, from Bridgeton, drew upon her own experiences of growing up in Glasgow for the artwork.

Dave added: “We are currently in talks with the city council about getting Kelly Coyle’s ‘Torn’ portrait commissioned as a proper mural in the city and are optimistic of progress in the next few weeks.”

The Evening Times has also contacted The Pink Bear Rebel for comment.