ANDY HALLIDAY has branded the backlash to Bobby Madden's performance during Sunday's Celtic vs Rangers clash as the "most overreactive" he's ever heard after a derby match.

The referee has come under heavy criticism from many Hoops fans, as well as others who watched the game.

Rangers would win the Scottish Cup semi-final at the national stadium 2-1 after extra-time.

And while many have taken aim at Madden, including former Celtic star Chris Sutton, Halliday was having none of it. 

The Hearts midfielder appeared on Clyde Superscoreboard this evening.

And responding to a fuming caller in relation to Madden's decisions, Halliday said: "Listen, I don't think Bobby Madden had a great game.

"It's probably one of the most overreactive responses to a refereeing performance I have ever seen. I have seen worst refereeing performances in the last fortnight than I seen yesterday.

"I think you could tell from the first couple of minutes he was trying to let stuff go, which can often happen in these games.

"I thought Callum McGregor was lucky not to see a booking early, and how John Lundstram never got a booking I will never know.

"I thought Calvin Bassey was lucky not to receive a booking as well. The foul Celtic got away with in the build-up to the goal, on Carter-Vickers, was never a foul.

"If you want to go on the narrative that every decision made altered the game, then it could have been 2-0 as the free-kick before Celtic' s goal should not have stood."