Danny Purkis keen to go full distance again and pile the pain onto Glentoran

Carrick Rangers' Danny Purkis is congratulated by Mark Surgenor after his sensational long-range strike against Larne

“I was always told, if you don’t shoot, you don’t score,” says Danny Purkis.

It’s a simple philosophy that doesn’t do justice to his remarkable finishing.

Glentoran can’t say they haven’t been warned – the man with the golden touch and an eye for the spectacular is on a hat-trick of wonder strikes.

Former Glentoran striker Purkis has his sights on an incredible long-distance treble when he takes on his old employers at the Loughview Leisure Arena on Saturday.

Carrick Rangers striker Danny Purkis celebrates his long-distance goal at Glenavon

There’s no need for the 28-year-old to change his breakfast routine as he continues his own personal Goal of the Month competition.

The Carrick Rangers frontman is fast earning the reputation of a finisher who has the bravery and talent to embarrass shot-stoppers from distance.

In back-to-back matches, he has performed moments of individual brilliance, but although the goals were worthy of a major Final, they failed to fire the Gers to victory.

In a 4-1 defeat at Larne on Friday, he chipped an ambitious effort past Rohan Ferguson from around 60 yards.

But it wasn’t an isolated flash of inspiration. Six days earlier, he netted a near-identical goal from roughly 50 yards out against Glenavon, stunning keeper Rory Brown.

His side lost 2-1 at Mourneview Park, and Purkis’ sublime touches have been a ray of light in a difficult spell for the club.

A move from Glentoran in the summer gave him a chance to secure more first-team football, and he has certainly brought his shooting boots to Carrick.

Danny Purkis looks to escape the attention of Larne defender Aaron Donnelly