[TheWorthinGer]

I'm sure the English FA give European entry status to the Capital Cup winners, unlike the Scottish League Cup winners, and it has not done their competition any harm - the possible Euro footie participation is indeed a 'carrot' for a lotta non Premier League clubs to take it seriously and try to win it.
Also the poor state of Scottish footie has been a negatively evolving one and I'd argue the decline goes as far back as 15-20 years ago. Study the Scottish European footie stats and you'll see there's been a gradual decline to the point where we celebrate just winning one initial Euro quali match (barring Celtic with their dollops of money!) these days and all our participating clubs now play quali matches - no more direct qualification because of the consistent losses! How do we redress the prob? Previously discussed in depth, that's a searching question with no easy answers!

There is a whole debate in England about the cup competitions and unfortunately due to the fact that 6-8 teams are chasing the top 4 places, and 8-10 teams are potentially fighting relegation from the prem, both the LC and FAC have seen reserve teams put out by Prem teams deep into the competition!!  But as we stand both winners get Europa League places the following season.

There's so much money in your game - the relegated teams from the PL will get more money than is shared in prize money across the Europa League - none of the bigger teams are really interested in it.  Christ, I'm surprised they are even bothered about the CL these days they have so much cash.  There was a time that was where the money was but not now.  More doled out in parachute payments from your top league than you might win in the group stages.