Robbie McDaid has his "fingers crossed" Irish League football can return to some form of normality next month.
The new Danske Bank Premiership season is scheduled to kick-off on October 17.
There are still concerns that increased restrictions surrounding Covid-19 could impact on the start of the 2020/21 season.
The NI Executive is also continuing to consult with the Irish FA on the potential for fans to attend games when the league begins in three weeks' time.
McDaid - who has signed a new contract with the Glens - says everyone wants to see competitive football in Northern Ireland return.
"The players are raring to go," he told Glentoran TV.
"We are all looking forward to competitive games. It has been a long pre-season. We had one before the Irish Cup final and another one straight after the European games.
"So we are all looking forward to competitive games. I am sure all the fans are as well and everyone around the club.
"Everyone in the country just wants to see some form of competitive football back.
"We will be ready, and fingers crossed fans can get in and we can get back to normality."
McDaid said he is delighted to commit his future to the Glens after watching a number of his teammates sign new deals.
The former Leeds United striker joined the club back in August 2017 and has become a fans' favourite on Mersey Street.
He was the hero in last season's Irish Cup, scoring an extra-time winner against Ballymena United in the final at the end of July.
"I am delighted to get it done and commit my future to the club," he added.
"The last couple of weeks I have seen come of the boys sign new deals so it was nice to get one wrapped up.
"When I first joined the club we spoke about bringing in a team first and then eventually going on to win things.
"We got our first trophy during the summer and I think when you win your first one, you want to win your second, third, fourth, fifth.
"It has definitely catapulted us as a squad and we are hungry for success now.
"The last 18 months the club has made massive strides on and off the pitch which is great for the club and fans, and for the players.
"The club is definitely on the up."
