The striker was the match winner as her first half goal proved the difference at New Douglas Park.
The victory for Jo Potter’s side keeps the Light Blues in the title race with just two games of the SWPL season to go.
Howat reckons the squad all pulled together to produce the goods and praised keeper Jenna Fife for a one-handed save to keep their lead intact.
Speaking to RangersTV, she said: “We are delighted, it was a massive three points.
“It is nice to score in the Old Firm game and we got a clean sheet as well. Jenna Fife produced an unbelievable save to keep it 1-0.
“Everyone, all the subs who came on, put in a shift and that was a proper Rangers performance.
“For my goal I had flashbacks to the semi-final against them at Hampden when I dinked it over the keeper.
“This time she came out and I managed to take it around her. I thought I had more time but the girl appeared from nowhere and slid it, but to see it hit the net was great and from there on we were excellent.
“In possession we were brilliant and we mixed up our game. Sometimes we played through them and other times we played over them, so they didn’t know how to handle it.
“Out of possession too we won tackles, first and seconds and we can be proud of that ahead of Wednesday.”
The victory, along with title rivals Glasgow City and Hibernian drawing 2-2 earlier in the day, saw the Gers climb up to second.
A win over Hearts on Wednesday, followed by three points against Hibernian at Ibrox next Sunday, will see Potter’s team crowned champions.
Howat insists the players aren’t even thinking about that, with the Jambos their sole focus.
She added: “It is massive for confidence and we have to use it now in the last three games of the season, two in the league and one in the cup final.
“Wednesday is the next big one, it won’t be easy but if we perform like we did then it can go our way.
“Hearts are a good side and it is a tough place to go. We will reflect on this game, look at the positives we can take and look to recover well but we will be ready to go.”