Richards told The Sun: “Israel will do it. I don’t see why people think that would be a miracle. It wouldn’t be.
“They are good enough to get the draw, if not a win.
“I really, really, believe that if we beat Croatia in our final qualifier we will be through to the finals.
“What must not happen is Israel get the result we need and then we do not take the opportunity. But I’m confident that won’t happen.
“Israel will be a hard place for Russia to go. We found that. They have some talented players and a lively crowd and, even without Yossi Benayoun, will still be difficult to beat.
“They are also capable of playing good football on the counter-attack.
“So, provided Israel do their bit, as I’m sure they will, we will get the result required.
“There’s no point in us all being sad and miserable. We have to approach this week in a positive fashion, using our friendly in Austria on Friday to prepare for Croatia and believing in our heads it will all work out.
“I don’t feel my optimism is misplaced. I’ve had a career where so many things have gone well for me in a short space of time.
“If anyone had told me when I was 17 that I would have nine England caps by the time I was 19, I would have thought they were stupid. But in football you just never know, do you?
“I know people say I could have a lot of good years in front of me but, like any player, I want success as soon as I can get it. I want to win as many caps and medals as possible.
“I still can’t believe we lost in Russia. It looked like we would get at least a draw. Yet it wasn’t meant to be and now we are going to have to get there by a different route.”
